A FEASIBILITY study found a new pedestrian tunnel under the railway line at Arncliffe would cost $10 million to build, double the amount allocated by the state government.
Rockdale mayor Shane O'Brien said, as a result, the council had proposed an alternative approach, involving widening the Allen Street underpass to cater for pedestrian access on both sides of the road.
A central pedestrian island would be installed and other road improvements carried out around Wollongong Road and Arncliffe Street.
Councillor O'Brien said the council wrote to the government asking for the works to be added into the rail authority's bridge replacement program as a priority.
He revealed the new plan after Rockdale MP John Flowers accused the council of "stonewalling" the project for three years after the government had committed $5 million to it.
"Council needs to get on with the job and stop wasting the community's time," he said.
But Cr O'Brien said Mr Flowers, "while chasing votes before the 2011 election", made a promise without giving any thought to design, cost or desirability.
"It would have seen a tunnel built in a flood zone and have no natural surveillance to deter crime," he said.
"The council would have been responsible for ongoing costs for graffiti removal, vandalism and any damage to or shifting of railway tracks during or post construction."
Cr O'Brien said even Liberal councillors had not supported Mr Flowers' "half-baked plan" and slowed the process of finding a resolution.
Do you think widening the Allen Street underpass is a better option?
