Mr Allis said two things had changed since the advice received in 2005 that the road bridge did not have the capacity to take a standard concrete and steel clip-on.
The first was that the planned Northern Link was going ahead and would provide a "resilient transport network". The other was that technologies had changed and a new light-weight composite fibre structure could be used to reduce the dead weight on the bridge.
"It is likely that the clip-on will meet the design requirements, subject to additional geotechnical drilling to confirm the structural capacity."
Cyclists from Omokoroa using the downstream side clip-on would cycle up the side of SH2 once they left the bridge and turn into Carmichael Rd. Cyclists using the other side would turn into Taniwha Pl and have the option of going through a cycleway planned to traverse sports fields planned for the Parau Farms property behind the Z Service Station or continue on a riverside track to Tauriko West.
Mr Allis said the timing was better using clip-ons and would allow the project to be completed by the end of next year.
Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber said modern liquefaction concerns meant the iconic bridge would have needed to be built ''belts and braces'', including four 35m-long piles on each side, with each pile 2.2m in diameter.
Tauranga city councillor Larry Baldock was disappointed the iconic bridge would not be built but it meant the council could consider diverting more money into improving city cycleways. The council was seeking public feedback on its cycle action plan and had agreed to contribute $500,000 to the river bridge.
The Bay's sustainable business network manager Glen Crowther said it was a shame the plan had been shelved because it was such a beautiful design, but he supported the decision because a lot of members were concerned about the level of cycleways in Tauranga. The priority should be infrastructure to allow safe cycling around the city.
Ngati Kahu representative Lou Te Keeti said it was sad the iconic bridge would not eventuate but the ground was a lot less stable than previous indications and the single span construction meant a lot of loading on each side.
Andrew Thorpe of Welcome Bay Wheelers said the clip-on would suit commuter riders from Omokoroa but tourism would be the loser from dropping the iconic bridge. He highlighted the profile of the swing bridges across bush-clad gullies on the Timber Trail west of Taupo.
Iconic bridge funding sources included
- New Zealand Transport Agency
- Western Bay District Council
- Tauranga City Council
- Government tourist trails fund
- TECT
Source: Western Bay District Council
