Final stage of Quarryman's Trail gets under way

Work is about to start on the final stage of Quarryman’s Trail – a major cycle route that will provide a safe way for people to travel by cycle between Halswell and the central city.

The first 4.6km section of the route - from Moorhouse Avenue to Victors Road - opened in September and now contractors Fulton Hogan are ready to begin constructing the second and final section.

The first section of the Quarryman's Trail cycleway opened in September.

It stretches from Victors Road to the Te Hapua: Halswell Centre and will take cyclists along Sparks Road, through Milns Reserve, onto James Hight Drive, before cutting through Halswell Domain and onto Halswell Road.

The work will involve constructing 3.8km of off-road cycleway and installing two new sets of traffic lights at the Henderson Road/Sparks Road intersection, as well as a mid-block crossing on Sparks Road at Milns Reserve.

Street lighting will also be upgraded as part of the work and a 60kmh speed limit introduced on parts of Sparks Road.

The work will be done in stages between now and July next year.

“Quarryman's Trail will support the residential growth areas around the south-west of the city by offering another attractive transport option for commuters,’’ says Christchurch City Council Transport Planning and Delivery Manager Lynette Ellis.

“People choosing to travel by cycle will have a safe way to travel between Halswell and the central city and they will be able to connect into other major cycle routes, including the Southern Lights and Nor’West Arc cycleways.

“Pedestrians and motorists also stand to benefit from construction of the cycle route because of the safety improvements that will result from the upgraded street lighting and new traffic lights,’’ Ms Ellis says.

Quarryman’s Trail is part of a network of major cycle routes being built across the city by the Council to link shopping centres, businesses, schools, parks and popular recreation destinations.