Pathway grows across river
Palmerston North’s biggest-ever investment in walking and cycling is advancing out of sight, opening off-road routes to Massey and Linton.
The piers for the He Ara Kotahi cycle and pedestrian bridge have stood bare in the middle of the Manawatu¯ River over winter, but activity is gaining momentum beyond its approaches.
The pathway from Palmerston North to Linton, part of the $14.6 million project, is stretching toward the Turitea Stream, where another bridge is under construction.
A temporary concrete slab bridge over the stream has enabled work to continue on the main structure during winter without disturbing the aquatic life.
Some of the activity is visible from Ahimate Park and the river beach, including the removal of some pine trees at the top of a cliff where a boardwalk will provide the link from the bridge up to the bluff and on to the connecting pathway at the top.
Another section of the pathway is shaping up near the middle of the 7.6-kilometre track, along with a bridge over a Massey farm road, and another to be built over the Maungatungaroa Stream.
The final part of the project, from a suspension bridge over the Kahuterawa Stream and another 1km stretch to Linton, still has to go to tender.
The route of a linking pathway from the riverbank to Massey University and the science centres is yet to be finalised.
Programme manager on behalf of the city council Rob Green said the plan was to have the bridge and pathway complete by April 2019.
Cycling city councillor Brent Barrett said the project was the city’s biggest-ever investment in active transport, and would bring huge benefits.
Not only would it provide a great motivation for people to walk or cycle as commuters between the city and Massey or Linton, it would have great recreational benefits as well.