Spring clean for red zone underpass

A dark underpass in Christchurch’s former red zone is getting some TLC ahead of the City to Sea Pathway construction.

The path, which runs below the Anzac Bridge on State Highway 74 in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, is currently getting a spring clean. 

Red Zone Manager Dave Little said the underpass has been a “dark spot” in need of a tidy up.

“We’ve had a crew out there pulling out the old concrete apron, rubbish and tires to set up for a mural by local artist Nathan Ingram from Fiksate who will be onsite in early December,” he said.

“Once the mural is done, the team will be back in installing a boardwalk, lighting, adding a handrail for safety and planting the adjacent berms.”

Mr Little said it’s the perfect time to give the underpass “a bit of love” before it connects to the City to Sea Pathway.

The 11km shared path will run from the Central City to New Brighton largely following the course of the river.

Construction on the first section of the City to Sea Pathway from Fitzgerald Avenue to Avon Park is well underway.

“There’s a lot of activity on site with contractors currently working hard to install the crossings on Stanmore, Swanns and Gayhurst Roads,” Mr Little said.

“We’ve finished laying asphalt between Stanmore Road and Swanns Road and between the Medway and Snell Place bridges.  We’ve also kicked off work on the path between Swanns Road and Medway Bridge.”

Garden beds along the length of the pathway are also being prepared for planting during next year’s planting season he said.

“The contractors are working hard to get phase one complete and open for summer and then we can kick off work on phase two next year which is when the Pathway will connect to the underpass.”

Keep up to date with what’s happening in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor here.