Cycleway Construction – Summer Progress

This summer has had its ups and downs weather-wise; from the drab and drizzly during December, to wetter and even more miserable at times over Xmas. Now we’re into a real summer Canterbury style, rainy days excepted it’s been good to enjoy a stay-at-home holiday period to bike around the city and see some cycleway construction progress.

First up to be excited about has to be the opening of the Northern Arterial Corridor Shared Path from Cranford Street to Waimakariri bridge, then on through to Kaiapoi and Rangiora. If that’s your pleasure, then what a pleasure it has been. Ten years ago, this cycle connection to the Waimakariri River and beyond was barely thinkable. And now here we are. It’s all been positive so far. Motorists driving the corridor expressing surprise how many cycles they’ve seen puttering along the way, a café in Kaiapoi heard to be welcoming and enjoying patrons coming from Christchurch by bike, and some great feedback from those who have ridden it to those that haven’t… yet. It’s a must do!

{If you’re interested, don’t forget that there’s a guided ride from Papanui to Kaiapoi on Sun Feb 21st – Ed}

We’re just waiting for the final asphalting to the Rutland Reserve pathway which links the Papanui Parallel Cycleway through to the Cranford Street / Nthn Arterial roundabout.

In other parts of the city there has been good progress too. The Nor’ West Arc Cycleway particularly from Centennial Park in Spreydon through to the Little River Link connection at Middleton is taking shape. North of Blenheim Road there is further good progress along Hansons Lane and Suva Street. It is easy to see what a great connection this is going to be for getting to the University from southern areas and also to give a better cycling experience for those wishing to bike to no less than 13 schools within the vicinity.  Completion is expected sometime mid-year.

Also underway is the South Express cycleway which runs from Hagley Park to Templeton. This cycleway will pass near to nine schools and provide a much better ride from the west for those going to the CBD.

As a picture tells a thousand words, the story continues visually…

Have you noticed the new cycleway works around the city?