City to Sea pathway extends

Construction started this week on City to Sea East, which runs between Porritt Park and SH74 in Avondale. The shared walking and cycling path is part of the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Plan and is being built in three stages. Stage one, the western portion, was finished last year and the next stage is expected to take approximately nine months to build.

“We have engaged Citycare to carry out this project and are excited to see work happening. There has been great use of the western section, and this eastern extension will allow the community to explore even more of the red zone,” says Red Zone Manager Dave Little.

“As part of the project we are installing several breakout spaces and nature play areas. There will also be plantings, to help with ecological restoration, and lighting so that the space can still be used safely as the days get shorter and winter approaches.”

The second stage includes one road crossing at Avondale Road. There will be traffic management in place, with detours around active work areas for pedestrians and cyclists. Traffic will be one-way during the construction of the Avondale Road crossing. 

Mr Little says there has also been progress at Avon Park.

“There is now pedestrian access through the park, instead of people coming off Snell Bridge and having to detour around it.”

Detailed design work is currently being completed on the third and final section, with construction work expected to begin before the end of the year. Once finished, the City to Sea pathway will be around 11km long following the course of the Ōtākaro Avon River from the city to New Brighton.