Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry is welcoming confirmation the Government will co-fund the replacement of Ava Rail pedestrian footbridge, saying it’s "a great win for our community."

Transport Minister Chris Bishop has agreed to $2.4 million of Crown funding for the project, covering half of the total cost.

Mayor Barry will recommend to councillors that Hutt City Council funds the remaining cost and delivers the new footbridge.

The existing pedestrian walkway has to be removed as part of work KiwiRail is doing to replace ageing infrastructure on the rail bridge it’s attached to.

Mayor Barry has spent months advocating for Government support to maintain this vital pedestrian connection in Lower Hutt by building a replacement footbridge.

"This is a fantastic result and a strong example of what we can achieve when local and central government work together", Mayor Barry says.

"We made it clear that this bridge is an essential connection for people on both sides of the Hutt River-whether they’re heading to school, work, or simply getting from A to B. Thanks to the strong voices of our community, we’ve secured a commitment that ensures this vital link will not be lost."

If approved by councillors, Hutt City Council will manage the delivery of the footbridge replacement and KiwiRail will remain involved in an advisory capacity.

"This project is now in our hands, and we’re committed to ensuring that a modern, safe and accessible bridge is delivered for our community", Mayor Barry says.

If the new bridge gets the green light, it is expected to meet modern engineering standards and be an improvement on the current accessway, providing long-term pedestrian connectivity across the river.

The existing footbridge will remain open until just before the major rail shutdown scheduled for December 2025.

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