"But if we don't get any money from NZTA, we'll have to go back and consult with the community."
The cost of replacing the old wooden bridge spanning the Wanganui-Marton railway line, is estimated at $1.8 million. NZTA funding would provide 63 per cent, with ratepayers stumping up with the remaining 37 per cent.
"That cost [$1.8 million] is megabucks if it was all to come from the ratepayers.
"Of course, we'd have to borrow for it, but we're at about our limit for borrowing as it is," Mr Stevens said.
"But we can't pre-empt what NZTA may or may not decide. We just have to wait until they've sorted out their three-year programme and whether or not we've got the money."
Allan Wakeling, of the Bridge Action Group that has argued to retain the bridge, said the council decision was exactly what the group hoped for.
"We're very pleased that council is committed to replacing the bridge, even if there are some tags that go with it."
Mr Wakeling said he was keeping his fingers crossed that NZTA would tick off the funding and, failing that, the council would come back to the community to discuss other options.
"These two decisions were important to us and the community," he said.
The exercise of getting the community involved had been a worthwhile exercise, he said.
"It was a great way to bring different sections of the community and bridge users together."
Mr Wakeling said getting council support for both the overbridge and the Wanganui East swimming pool was important to the eastside community.
"You've got to remember a significant proportion of the city's population live in Wanganui East. And both the bridge and the pool are also used by people who don't live in this area too," he said.