The construction of a cycleway along the Arowhenua section of State Highway 1 is part of a bigger over-arching plan.
The new shared path connects the Temuka River Bridge to the Opihi River Bridge, and allows walkers and mountainbike users to access Pleasant Point via the stop bank, as well as allowing residents in the Arowhenua section to safely access Temuka.
A council spokesperson said that in future, when a wider link between Washdyke and Temuka was complete, the full path would provide a safe and enjoyable route for pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging tourism, promoting healthier lifestyles, and supporting more sustainable transport options.
In the meantime, the Arowhenua section between the rivers would deliver immediate local benefits, strengthening the community connection with Temuka.
Project spokesman Charles Scarsbrook said a shared path had been constructed in the domain, which ultimately would connect to the one leading out of town.
However, as that segment of the path crossed a train track, it was moving at a slower pace than the rest of the cycleway.
Mr Scarsbrook said when that pathway was constructed it would link the pathway in the Temuka Domain to the highway under the traffic bridge, which would keep users from having to cross the busy highway.
He said as the Temuka Community Board had accessed central government’s ‘‘Better off’’ fund it meant the shared path was ‘‘so much better’’ than what they could have imagined.
It also meant that only a very small portion of the cost had come from community funds.
He said even the more experienced group of cyclists would have the safety of cycling on a well-constructed path rather than having to share a busy section of road with large trucks and trailers.
Mr Scarsbrook said that in the the distant future, he hoped to see Temuka connected to Winchester along McNair Rd.
He said if the board had infinite money he would like to see the path linked through to Geraldine, and with future central government funding and community boards working together, he was hopeful it would happen.
