The Albert Town bridge is an essential local and regional lifeline and its replacement is “urgently required”, the Albert Town Community Association (ATCA) says.

The ATCA has written a 13-page letter to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) asking it to bring forward funding to replace the existing single-lane bridge with a two-lane bridge with a twin cycleway/walkway.

Not only is the bridge insufficient for current and projected demand, the bridge - constructed in 1930 - is at significant risk of foundation failure in the event of a major earthquake, the ATCA said.

“Its failure would leave the West Coast with very limited road, sea and air access,” the letter said. “It also delivers critical communications including fibre optic cables, to the region.”

ATCA chair Heather Thorne said the Albert Town bridge is listed in the NZTA State Highway Investment Proposal for improvement in the 2030-2034 period but the ATCA believes planning for a new bridge should start “sooner rather than later”.

“...we are totally realistic with our expectations but at least the conversation has begun,” she told the Wānaka App.

The ATCA also cited traffic bottlenecks caused by the existing single-lane bridge, its wide range of users (from commuters to pedestrians, school buses and emergency services) with a width of only 3.3m, and its age and lack of previous upgrades as reasons it needs a replacement urgently.

In 2019 there was an average of 5,561 traffic movements on the bridge each day and “rapid growth” projected in the census indicates this number will increase substantially.

“We strongly recommend that NZTA give the highest priority to replacement of the present bridge, bringing it forward to the 2027- 2030 budget period,” the ATCA said in its letter.

Heather said the ATCA had put a significant amount of time into the letter, and local engineer Rod McLeod had assisted.

An NZTA spokesperson told the Wānaka App that in order for the Albert Town bridge project to be progressed in the earlier 2024-2027 period, other projects with a higher priority would need to progress slower than expected, be de-scoped or stopped.

“We will continue to look for opportunities to progress the planning for this project,” the spokesperson said.

PHOTO: Wānaka App