Proposal to move Kawarau bridge

The New Zealand Transport Agency is investigating whether to move the proposed replacement Kawarau Falls Bridge, at the southern entrance to Queenstown.

Agency senior communications advisor Bob Nettleton said a transport modelling assessment was requested by the Queenstown Lakes District Council to considered the merits of an alternative bridge between Boyd Rd and the Eastern Access Rd. A report was expected to be released by the agency in the next week, he said.

The agency has already called for tenders to replace the one-way bridge with a $25 million two-lane version near the existing bridge.

That followed an election promise by Prime Minister John Key to replace the bridge, the scene of traffic jams in peak seasons.

It was believed the council asked the agency to investigation other options for the bridge location after they had been rallied by members of the community.

However, questions put to the council to confirm this were met with ‘‘it is an NZTA matter so you will have to discuss it with them’’.

A lobby group proposing the bridge be moved downstream has been gaining community support.

Kelvin Heights resident Kirsty Sharpe set up a community Facebook page about the option to change the location of the bridge.

Within three weeks the page had attracted over 1000 likes.

Sharpe said she supported the relocation because of the increased traffic on the road. It made more sense to have a bridge link the highway with the Eastern Access route behind Queenstown Airport.

The route would ease traffic congestion in Frankton and would be a better access option for people coming from the Remarkables ski area and Jack’s Point, she said.