Matakana bridge funding hits snag

There are already major concerns about the safety of the temporary pedestrian walkway on the Leigh Road bridge in Matakana.

The Matakana Coast Trail Trust has been asked to find an additional $100,000 to cover the costs of building a pedestrian/cycle bridge on Leigh Road.The bridge, which will run parallel to the existing road bridge, is expected to cost $580,000. Auckland Transport has agreed to commit $250,000 and the Local Board was asked match that contribution, with the balance of $80,000 to be contributed by the trust.

However, the cash-strapped Local Board felt the figure was too high and agreed instead to make a contribution of $150,000.

Deputy board chair Steven Garner says the board’s total Local Board Transport Capital Fund for the year was $367,000.

“We just felt that to give almost all of that allocation to one project was too much,” he said. “We spoke to the trust and they seem confident that they can fund the shortfall.”

Construction was due to start next month and was expected to take six to eight weeks.

The trust was unavailable for comment.