Glen Alton bridge was lost in the November 2016 earthquake, restricting access for local residents.
Finding a solution is proving to be a challenge, retiring Kaikoura Mayor Winston Gray says.
''It's just taking time. There's a lot of work to be done and for the people living there it's quite frustrating, but it will get there.''
Mr Gray said there was considerable damage to the landscape, as well as the bridge, in the earthquake. River levels have also changed, so there is a lot to consider when exploring solutions.
At its August meeting, the Kaikoura District Council considered a range of options to restore access to the valley and identified a new Bailey bridge and road connections downstream of the previous bridge as the preferred option for further work and investigation.
The proposed bridge would be located at the end of Clarence Valley Road, near Jacob Hill, and would cross the new main active channel of the Clarence River.
A new road and permanently engineered ford across the old main river channel will link the bridge to the south side of the river.
The council is seeking New Zealand Transport Agency approval to progress this option and to extend funding to complete the project.
It is estimated this option will cost around $9.8 million.
The council is likely to include provision for a new bridge in its 2020/21 annual plan deliberations next year, depending on the response from the agency.
