Dunedin walking/cycling path hits a key milestone

This weekend the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will mark the achievement of a major milestone in the construction of the State highway 88 walking and cycling between Dunedin and Port Chalmers.

The recently completed section of the path from Maia to St Leonards is being officially opened on Saturday, 10 November to celebrate the path reaching the half way point between Dunedin and Port Chalmers. The opening near the St Leonards yacht club starts at 11am.

NZ Transport Agency Otago-Southland State highways Manager Ian Duncan says this newest section of the path represents a $1M investment by the NZTA in walking in cycling in Dunedin, one of the largest ever. We now have a continuous 4.5 km route for walking and cycling between Dunedin and St Leonard’s that offers a serious alternative to using a vehicle for West Harbour commuters.

“We felt it was an occasion worth celebrating with those who have worked alongside us on this project, including KiwiRail, the Dunedin City Council and many others to get the path to this milestone.”

Speakers at the opening include Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull and Rick van Barneveld, KiwiRail General Manager for Infrastructure and Engineering.

Ian Duncan says KiwiRail’s involvement has been pivotal to this project and they have supported it on many different levels. One of the most important was their decision to ensure replacement rail bridges on the main trunk line between Dunedin and Port Chalmers could accommodate this path.

Funding is being sought for design and resource consents in the 2012/13 financial year for the uncompleted St Leonards to Port Chalmers section of the path. Its construction is supported in the 2012/15 Otago Regional Land Transport Programme, and will be reviewed as funding becomes available Mr Duncan said.