There are fresh calls for a historic Queenstown bridge to be replaced after recent earthquakes forced temporary closures.
The heritage-listed Edith Cavell Bridge has towered over the Arthur’s Point side of the Shotover River canyon for more than a century. But a recent report to the district council shows the 108-year-old crossing is "reaching the end of its serviceable life".
Queenstown Lakes mayor John Glover told 1News the bridge was "much loved and it’s old, like quite a few of us".
"But the recent earthquakes we've had that have given us a good shake a week or so ago. They're now putting strain on that bridge."
Residents in the Arthur’s Point community agreed.
"It's a beautiful bridge but functionally wise we're struggling a little bit," Paul Hollingsworth from the community association said.
The ageing one-lane bridge was a vital transport link as the tourist town continued to grow.
"Our state highway [6A] through Frankton is increasingly busy. This is the alternative back road. It's where the public bus goes, it's where everyone goes to get up to Coronet Peak ski-field. So, it's absolutely essential," Glover said.
A replacement two-lane crossing just down from the current structure had been discussed for years.
Now, there were calls for a new one – and sooner than under the current 2031 council long-term plan.
The bridge had been forced to close twice in the past two months due to recent earthquakes with engineers being sent out to inspect the crossing before it could be reopened.
The closures temporarily meant public transport through Arthur’s Point was suspended.
Otago Regional Council planning and transport general manager Anita Dawe acknowledged the closures had impacted the public transport network.
"A number of our routes are impacted if the bridge is closed," she said. "If there were to be any changes to the use of the bridge, it would require ORC to evaluate our Queenstown services, and most likely require alternative routes."
Fears bridge will 'fall sideways into the river'
But the biggest worry for Glover was a "really strong shake" that could cause the bridge to "fall sideways into the river".
Hollingsworth said locals believed replacing the bridge was the number one priority.
"I think there are a lot of people that are taking the back route to get into town or leave town after work. So, it's putting more pressure on this single-lane bridge at the moment, which is a bit of a challenge for just the queues that are coming, especially leaving town in the afternoon,” he said.
Current estimates are around $80 million with the Queenstown Lakes District Council after financial support from central government.
Glover said while the council "would love much more than 50%" financial support from the New Zealand Transport Agency, it would "depend on what they've got".
"We've allocated money in our long-term plan already and it's right up there in our priorities."
In a statement, NZTA’s system design regional manager Richard Osborne said "we appreciate the importance of the Edith Cavell Bridge and the broader transport route for Queenstown’s tourism sector and the region".
"That is why we are working closely with the Queenstown Lakes District Council on a plan for a new bridge over the Shotover River at Arthurs Point."
While no decisions had been made at this stage, Osborne said the current proposed funding approach would have the transport agency fund 51% of the associated costs – "as per the usual rate for transport projects for this district".
If the council wanted more funding from the Crown, it would require "separate consideration", he said.
Hollingsworth said having a "clear timeline and a commitment would be great", adding that they "can all work together try and get it across the line".
Opened in 1919, the concrete arch crossing – a registered Category One historic place – was named after British nurse Edith Cavell, who was shot by the Germans in World War I after helping British soldiers in Belgium.
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