An upgrade for the Albert Town Bridge may include expanding it to two lanes, with potential construction from 2030.

Improvements to the bridge are part of the NZTA Waka Kotahi State Highway Investment Proposal 2024-2034.

“The business case would consider upgrading the bridge to two lanes given the growth in the Queenstown Lakes District Council area,” Waka Kotahi Southern media manager Frances Adank said.

An average of 5,500 vehicles cross the bridge each day, about five percent of which are heavy vehicles.

It’s a far cry from when the James Horn bridge opened in 1930 to replace the punts which had operated since about 1862.

The first cars driving across the bridge when it opened in 1930. PHOTO: Supplied

The one-lane bridge has been witness to many stand-offs and incidents before traffic lights were installed in autumn 2019, due to the increasing number of tourists and a rapidly growing resident population.

A Queenstown Lakes District Council spokesperson told the Wānaka App a pipe would be attached to the Albert Town bridge as part of the extension of Wānaka’s wastewater system Project Pure to Hāwea. 

“We have taken steps during the design phase to ensure that we'll be able to realign the pipe and attach it to the new bridge when the current one is eventually replaced,” he said.

“We'll continue to discuss any opportunities to integrate our respective projects with our partners at NZTA Waka Kotahi.”

Frances said at this stage NZTA has proposed funding for the bridge upgrade business case in the 2024-27 period. Detailed design work would take place in 2027-30, “with a start to construction in this period if all goes well”. 

“The bridge was built in 1930 so approaching its 100 years of life and will be regularly monitored and maintained,” she added.