While taxpayers will pick up the tab for building the $6.8 million cycleway between Dunedin and Port Chalmers, Dunedin ratepayers will foot the bill for its maintenance.
Dunedin City Council asset ownership policy engineer Peter Besuijen yesterday said the main costs were likely to be in vegetation control, drainage and resurfacing.
He did not expect it to add greatly to the council's maintenance budget.
The cycleway is being built by the New Zealand Transport Agency, which is awaiting funding approval for "investigation and research" of the route.
Agency regional director Bruce Richards yesterday said the Dunedin office should have the money confirmed "within a week or two", facilitating resource management and geotechnical work.
Access negotiations were required with a private land owner at Roseneath where the cycle way left the rail corridor to cross a hill to Sawyers Bay.
