Mrs Dean said last month that would happen, but Waimate Mayor John Coles and deputy mayor Peter McIlraith yesterday questioned that, saying New Zealand Transport Agency southern region director Jim Harland had told them funding had not been approved.
However, while acknowledging that was technically correct, Mr Harland told the Otago Daily Times the project was high priority and he had "every expectation funding will be available".
Yesterday, Mrs Dean was upset her promise was being questioned.
"I'm more than a little disappointed that the mayor, 10 days out from an election, has questioned that through the media. I have always played with a straight bat with everybody, including the Waimate District Council."
She could not understand why Mr Coles and Mr McIlraith would want to upset the community.
"Nothing has changed. The undertaking I gave and the Minister [of Transport Steven Joyce] gave still stands. I have publicly announced that and stand by that," she said, repeating that work would start next year.
Mr Coles was "really hacked off" his council had no official written confirmation about funding. All it had seen was a report in the Otago Daily Times on October 1.
"After all the effort we have put in, I'm a bit miffed we have had no direct correspondence from the minister verifying what she [Mrs Dean] said."
The council wanted a written assurance the money would be available. If it did not, the council could be faced again with battling for funding.
"We want some real assurance this is going to happen," Mr Coles said.
Mr McIlraith said Mr Harland told him "within the last couple of days" funding was not available, as the budget had yet to be approved for next year.
Mr Harland said resource consents had been granted for the bridges and final detailed design was being completed. He anticipated construction would start next year and take 28 to 36 months to complete.
Work will start next week to repair a scoured pier on the Waitaki Bridges, the NZTA announced yesterday.
From Monday, workers will begin driving four piles, to be connected to the existing pier.
This will mean 10-minute delays for motorists each weekday until December 16.
