3 options for underpass identified

A proposed underpass beneath State Highway 8 at Clyde is a step closer to reality, after the release of options for its location and construction.

The Central Otago District Council says in a flier it has identified three possible locations for an underpass, with option one west of the SH8-Hazlett St intersection, option 2 between where Hazlett St and Springvale Rd meet SH8, and option 3 east of the Springvale Rd-SH8 junction.

The council is asking for public feedback on the flier, which will be distributed in Clyde, including the preferred option, from now until October 6.

A drop-in session will also be held at the Clyde Memorial Hall from 3pm-6pm on September 23 to provide more information about the options.

District councillor and Vincent Community Board chairwoman Clair Higginson invited people from across the district to think about the options.

''When considering the urgency of the project, please do consider that option one could go ahead now, while timing for options two and three is constrained by uncertainty of funding.''

Positive and negative aspects of each option were explained in the flier, with option one preferred over others because of lower construction costs and easier construction.

Clyde Primary School principal Doug White said about 50 pupils from the school crossed SH8 on their way to and from school, and option one seemed the best solution.

In a flier distributed on Friday, the council outlined a joint funding scheme with the New Zealand Transport Agency.

The agency would fund 50% of construction, up to a total cost of $250,000, meaning its maximum contribution would be $125,000.

Any cost beyond that would be shouldered by Central Otago ratepayers or from fundraising.

Last month, Otago Central Rail Trail Trust chairwoman Kate Wilson said the trust would apply to an $8 million cycle trail enhancement and maintenance fund for help to finance the underpass.

Council contributions to the underpass would be funded through its district-wide roading rate.

In initial estimates, all three of the proposed options would cost more than $250,000, with option one as the cheapest.

leith.huffadine@odt.co.nz

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