Marlborough District Council Deputy Mayor Terry Sloan has welcomed the news that the new Ōpaoa bridge has got the green light to go ahead.

Terry Sloan is also the Chair of the Regional Land Transport Committee and the South Island Regional Land Transport Chairs Group.

“This is the best news I’ve had from NZTA in my time at Council, which is eight years.

“It has been a long and arduous process and the Government announcement that it was re-visiting all state highway projects was a major concern to me.

“I’ve been at various transport meetings recently and have been doing my best to keep this project at the front of the officials’ minds.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that we are going to get what we were originally promised.

“It’s not just our local communities that will benefit, it’s the whole national land transport network.

“Congestion around the bridge has the potential to affect the emergency services’ day to day work, and that had become a concern for me in recent times too.

“Finally we have a reason to celebrate, with the added bonus that the old heritage bridge will be enjoyed by pedestrians and cyclists.”

ends

© Scoop Media