Next stage of shared pathway works due to start

Published on 19 August 2016

19 August 2016

Work on the next stage of the City Bridge to North Mole shared pathway is due to start on Monday, August 22.

The shared pathway will improve active transport choices for people who want to bike or walk, scooter, skate or use mobility aids to get around. This pathway celebrates our river culture and history, creating an easy riverside trail that connects the town centre to our seaside suburb of Castlecliff, and creates an iconic end point for the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail where it meets the Tasman Sea.

Stage 1 of the work involved constructing a concrete shared pathway that upgrades the existing riverfront walkway, developing paving and seating areas and relocating the existing bollards and seats. The work, which started in May, is nearly completed.

The contract for the next stage has been awarded to B Bullock (2009) Ltd. It will start with utility duct trenching at the Bedford Avenue end of the pathway, working back toward the Cobham Bridge.

Stage 2 also includes rock wall construction around the rear of the Steam Rail shed in the rail yards and mass block wall works around the Taupo Quay area.

For public safety reasons the pathway will be closed to users at times during the construction. Detours will be provided; however, these are not likely to follow the same route as the existing pathway and users will be diverted onto Taupo Quay and Heads Road.

Stage 2 is scheduled for completion by Friday, December 9, ahead of the Whanganui Harrier Club 3 Bridges Marathon on Saturday, December 10.

A second shared pathway is planned for construction in 2017/18. Te Tuaiwi Shared Pathway will be a three metre wide sealed path that will provide a safe route across the Whanganui City Bridge, through town and past some of our central schools. It connects with many of our existing pathways through town and will give children a safer route to school.