Off-road link to Ashhurst progresses

People will soon be able to walk, run or bike between Ashhurst and Longburn

The purpose of Palmerston North’s latest little bridge to nowhere will become apparent this week.

The concrete bridge, that was constructed off-site, has already been lifted into position on the Manawatu River side of Te Matai Rd.

It will form part of the off-road pathway for cyclists and walkers from the Riverside Drive end of the formed path along the banks of the Manawatu River to a bend on Te Matai Rd.

Roading Manager Graeme Tong said the bridge spanned Stoney Creek, alongside an existing one-lane road bridge.

Higgins Contractors have been awarded the tender for the construction of the path. Work will start on Monday and is expected to take about six weeks to complete, depending on the weather.

The council decided in 2013 that the Riverside Drive to Te Matai section of the riverside pathway would follow the road, not the river.

The route will appear to end out in the middle of the countryside temporarily, at a property the council bought to secure a riverbank corridor for the link.

It will eventually join a riverside pathway the council plans to build along the river to Raukawa Rd, where there is already a 2.5km path that extends to the Ashhurst bridge.

The continuation of the path through to Raukawa Rd remains subject to discussions and agreement with the land owners.

There is a sum of $647,000 carried forward into this year’s annual plan to complete the project.

Newly-elected city councillor and public and active transport portfolio holder Brent Barrett said he was pleased to see the pathway construction underway on the next stage.

Citizens, including Ashhurst’s Jordan Castle, had lobbied the council through annual plan submissions, leading a groundswell of public support.

When completed, the pathway network would enable people to walk, run or ride a bike from Longburn, through the city, and out to Ashhurst.