More spending promised
Transport Minister Phil Twyford has pledged increased Government spending on cycling and walking routes.
He was at his first sod-turning ceremony as minister in Palmerston North on Thursday, marking the start of building of the He Ara Kotahi cycle and pedestrian bridge across the Manawatu¯ River.
The $14.6 million project, including a 7.6 kilometre shared pathway from the Fitzherbert Bridge to Linton, is receiving $3m from the Government’s Urban Cycleway Programme.
There is $500,000 from Powerco, with the balance paid by the city council and NZ Transport Agency.
Twyford said he was excited to see the amount of cycling projects under way. ‘‘This pathway will not only improve safety for cyclists by separating them from the road, but it will also encourage more commuters to get out of their cars and get moving.’’
He said that trend had huge public health benefits, and would be a priority for the Government as it developed new transport policy.
At the bridge site, contractors have already created a bund and started extending a causeway into the river from the Massey side in preparation for final test drilling before laying foundations for the piers.
The completed bridge will be 195m long, 4.2m wide, with a 10m viewing platform in the middle, the whole structure designed to represent a karaka tree falling across the river.
Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said Thursday’s ceremony was a significant milestone for He Ara Kotahi – the pathway that brings people together.
‘‘He Ara Kotahi will be a real asset for our city and it continues the strong commitment and investment Palmerston North has made in new cycling and walking facilities,’’ he said.
Smith said the project was an excellent example of partnership, and Government money had made it possible.
The bridge is expected to carry 1000 users a day, but Smith believed the estimate was conservative.
He said pedestrian links from Victoria Esplanade would entice more of the reserve’s 600,000 visitors a year to venture down to the river.