Otaki gets 10km shared path
It’s many more steps for walkers and a giant leap for O¯ taki.
Funding for a 10-kilometre path to run beside the Peka Peka to O¯ taki Expressway has been confirmed by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The shared pathway will join up with the completed $630m Mackays to Peka Peka section of the Ka¯ piti expressway and provide a continuous link of about 30km for walkers and cyclists from Paeka¯ ka¯ riki to O¯ taki.
Boasting bridges and underpasses, the landscaped path would provide the local communities with a safer trail separated from motor vehicles, senior manager project delivery Chris Hunt said
‘‘Local residents and the wider community have been very supportive and excited at the prospect of this project, so it’s pleasing to be able to confirm we are moving ahead with its construction.’’
The path would also cater for horse riders by providing additional width in places and, once completed, would encourage people to walk and cycle more often, he said.
The agency could not yet say how much the path would cost.
Last year, Ka¯ piti locals organised a petition to call for the pathway to extend from Peka Peka.
In a statement, O¯ taki Ward councillor James Cootes said the decision showed the agency had
❚ A new tunnel north of Marycrest will allow the shared path to cross the expressway. A bridge will then cross over the railway lines.
❚ At Te Horo, there will be a new local road bridge for cyclists and pedestrians.
❚ Further north there will be a¯ partial interchange to access Otaki Gorge Rd.
❚ The new O¯ taki River bridge will accommodate a separate shared path to its east.
❚ A culvert/tunnel north of the O¯ taki River will run back under the expressway, allowing travel into Otaki or to the river.
listened to the community.
‘‘This brings O¯ taki a step closer to what should have been included in the expressway contract from the start.
‘‘Our community believed that it should be included.’’