Ashburton's Mayor hasn't given up hope of a second bridge to flood-proof the South Island's main highway.

The four million dollars announced by Jacinda Ardern today is for assisting farmers with uninsured repair work.

Neil Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan he didn't get a yes from Ardern for the bridge.

He hopes the eventual business case for a new bridge will sway her opinion.

"Something needs to be done with the bridge for connectivity between the South Island. And if the council doesn't want to put anymore money in the near 20 percent, then someone has to put it in or if that bridge goes out again, the South Island will come to a standstill."

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