Engineers and others working for the Clutha District Council have just started looking into whether the long-term future of the Clydevale bridge involves major repairs or a total replacement.
Like the Balclutha bridge, the Clutha Valley landmark marks its 75th anniversary next year.
Council district assets manager Jules Witt admitted the bridge could be in better shape but it was not a danger.
"We don't expect it to fall apart tomorrow," he said.
But the council is keen to know whether it makes more sense spending big money on improving the existing bridge or to totally replace it.
If a new bridge is the best option, it could be built in a different location, something that would affect both traffic and local residents.
The council has earmarked the bridge for replacement within the next five years but that does not guarantee it any New Zealand Transport Agency money, which would pay for about two-thirds of any new structure.
Had the bridge been targeted for major work within three years, it would have been eligible for financial help.
Mr Witt said a full analysis was needed so the council could have detailed information on what would be the best way forward for the bridge.
He admitted the bridge had been damaged over the years with heavy traffic exceeding the 10kmh speed limit imposed on the bridge while some piles underneath had scoured, causing concern.
Also, the bridge was never designed to cope with the large volumes of heavy traffic that crosses it daily.
Strategically located, the bridge is the only major bridge in the district capable of holding wide loads.
It links South Otago with Central Otago.
Mr Witt said the bridge's future would be debated when the council's long-term council community plan is reviewed again in early 2012.
