The Lake Tekapo footbridge project has reached another milestone, with tenders going out for the first of the caissons.

A caisson is a retaining, watertight structure used to work on the foundations of a bridge pier.

The footbridge will be about 110 metres long and provide an alternate route to join the two sides of the town separated by the lake outlet.

Lake Tekapo footbridge society president Colin MacLaren admitted recent progress had been slow, but with the tenders going out for the caissons, the group should have an idea of costs and requirements for the next stage.

"It will be a big step once we get the first of the caissons down. People will be able to actually see some progress," Mr MacLaren said.

"We've put down the surveyor pegs earlier in the year, but the caissons would be the first real foundations. We've got to do the test caissons first, and then it's just a matter of whether we can afford the rest."

The fundraising project began in September 2010, and so far the group has raised more than $120,000.

Environment Canterbury granted the group a non-notified consent for the activity in January, but the blueprint and construction documents were still being completed. Once that was done, the group would apply for a building consent with the Mackenzie District Council. The group was waiting for an easement from Land Information New Zealand.

Mr MacLaren said other fundraising events were planned for the coming months, including a Christmas Day concert and a three-day endurance walk from Tekapo to the Cass Valley in March next year.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Comments