There was no pressing need to build the proposed two-lane bridge at the Gates of Haast on State Highway 6, New Zealand Transport Agency West Coast regional state highways manager Colin Knaggs said yesterday.
The $28 million project was revealed in April last year after 18 months of consultation. It would replace the 49-year-old, one-lane structure with a sweeping two-lane bridge on a realigned approach.
"NZTA is working to complete the design phase of this project and obtain designations and land agreements from [the Department of Conservation], so we are ready to construct a new bridge when it's necessary. The current bridge is sound and there is no pressing need to replace it."
The bridge is regarded as a vital commercial, social and tourist link between Westland and Otago.
