A damaged public bridge could now become inaccessible to motorists long-term due to it not being repaired or replaced 18 months after it was temporarily closed.

Frustrated farmer James Paterson, whose property is dissected by the Taieri River, is demanding answers from the Central Otago District Council on whether the bridge will be replaced.

If no decisions were forthcoming, Paterson told the Maniototo Community Board last week, he would soon be purchasing and installing his own farm bridge for the Halls Ford crossing and no public use would be possible.

“The biggest issue in the last 18 months has been lack of communication, lack of direction, lack of anything happening, really. The outcome will be what it will be, but I just need to know so I can make a move in a direction that fits my business.”

Paterson said he was already tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket from having to fix damaged barriers put up to block the public, spend time and resources gaining quotes that were now outdated, missing out on cheaper materials and loss of work time.

He wanted council to either “get on with it” or make the decision not to replace the bridge so he could install his own.

He believed the delays were unwarranted, as discussions about what to do with the 94-year-old structure had been happening for 20 years.

After its closure in early 2021, inspections had been delayed several times due to river levels, lack of engineers and Covid-19 lockdowns. Two other bridges were closed in the area following severe flooding at the time.

As the crow flies...motorists and a farmer whose daily work is effected have been frustrated by the closure of the Halls Ford bridge on Maniototo Road. Image Jill Herron

A replacement for Halls Ford bridge, which links a public route running the length of the plain, had been estimated by council at around $540,000. Repairing the existing damaged structure was not recommended.

Three months ago, council’s infrastructure services executive manager, Julie Muir said there were enough funds to fix one bridge – around $500,000 – as well as a maintenance budget for minor work but other major works would have to go through an application process to Waka Kotahi Transport Agency(NZTA). Funds from that round would be available in mid-2024.

At that time Board member and CODC councillor Stu Duncan had said Halls Ford should take priority. He said options for others such as Scott’s Lane where the bridge was destroyed, could follow.

Last week Julie Muir said staff had been continuing to work hard on the issue, assessing information and liaising with the Otago Regional Council.

Questioned by board chairman Robert Hazlett as to what the next step would be, she said work priorities across other damaged bridge sites had to be considered.

“I think we can put information in front of the councillors to enable them to understand the risk of making a commitment to replacing one bridge on a very low-use road that has alternative routes.”

James Paterson addresses the Maniototo Community Board last week. Image CODC

Cr Duncan acknowledged that the delays were frustrating and asked whether a public-private arrangement would be a possibility. Council relies heavily on funding from Waka Kotahi to provide roading infrastructure across Central Otago.