The Upper Clutha Tracks Trust has applied for resource consent to construct the $80,000 ramp and hopes to have it ''up and running'' by Christmas.
Trust treasurer John Wellington said that timeframe would be dependent on whether the trust could raise the funds required by October. The trust already had about $25,000 to go towards the project and had applications in with various funding bodies for an additional $40,000.
''We're still scratching our heads about the other $15,000.''
The project has been in the works for some time, dating back to when the trust was formed in 2006 and built the Hawea River Walk track that opened in 2009.
''The track was originally designed as a commuter track to connect the communities [of Hawea and Wanaka]. We always desired to have a ramp at that end, but it was the first project the trust had done and budgets were tight and we couldn't put it in at that point.''
The Otago Daily Times reported in early 2017 the ramp was to be built by the middle of that year, but Mr Wellington said on Wednesday it had been delayed due to a ''combination of factors''.
''It's the nature of all our tracks projects - they all seem to take a lot longer than you think [they will].''
''We certainly would've loved to have had it built a year ago.''
But he was confident this time around.
He said having the ramp would have a community benefit, particularly for families, the disabled, and the growing number of commuters using electric bikes, and others who struggled with the steep stairs on to the bridge.
