Trails next on new highway’s to-do list
Recreational walking, cycling tracks to be built
With the opening of Transmission Gully, cars have been zooming between Wellington and Ka¯piti, but this is not the only mode of transport impacted by the construction of the new road.
Several recreational walking and cycling tracks are due to be built as part of the final phase of the project.
The construction of the tracks is part of the overall construction costs of the Transmission Gully project, built by CPB HEB subcontracted by Wellington Gateway Partnership.
The timing of completion is still to be confirmed, however, work is scheduled to start in spring and expected to be open for use within the next 12 months.
A Transmission Gully project spokesperson said, “Early planning work is under way.
“Mountain-bike track experts have been involved in the design which is an ongoing process, so the grading is not determined yet.
“The track experts are engineering designers and experienced mountain-bike track designers.
“Further consultation with neighbours and councils is planned to finalise design details.
“There has also been consultation with local cycling groups.”
Mana Cycle Group president Rob Hughes said the group has been involved with the trails since the idea surfaced.
“Mana Cycle Group has been involved in these Transmission Gully trails from the start, with Waka Kotahi consulting with us on any trail work they were doing.
“These trails will be a great addition to the Porirua cycling network — to the whole region’s cycle network.”
The vision is for there to become an off-road cycle network from Wellington’s South Coast to the Kāpiti Coast.
“It’ll be our region’s Coast to Coast.” Rob said, “Some of the trails will be a bit harder than others, particularly as you get higher up Transmission Gully where e-bikes may come into their own, but there is something for all ages and skill levels”.
A Facebook post the group put up talking about the trails showed great interest in the trails.
“The Facebook post we did on the trails showed a massive level of excitement building for the opening of these trails, not just in Porirua but throughout the wider region.” Trails
Trails include the Pa¯uatahanui pathways, a 1km network of shared paths beside SH58, and an additional 1km path following the Pa¯uatahanui stream through the Transmission Gully/SH58 interchange connecting Bradey Rd to Pa¯utahanui Village and Whitby.
The paths are flat and wide, suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and the whole family.
A 1m-wide track will be built from Flightys Rd north to Battle Hill Farm with a gradient of up to 15 per cent and uneven terrain.
The track will be challenging for bikers and unsuitable for horses because of cattle stops.
Battle Hill will be linked through to Paeka¯ ka¯ riki by a new section close to Transmission Gully which links with the already existing western ridgeline Gasline Track.
The track continues to SH59 at Paeka¯ka¯riki via the historic Middle Run farm, beside Te Puka Stream.
The ridgeline track has steep sections and sits above the Kapuni gas main that runs from Taranaki to Wellington.