8 Jun 2021

A new fly-through video is giving the public a glimpse of what the final section of the Te Ara Ihutai Christchurch Coastal Pathway, around Moncks Bay, will look like.

Construction of the final section of the pathway is planned to start within the next three to four months.

The Government is funding the $15.8 million cost of constructing the last section of the shared pathway because it is one of the shovel-ready projects selected to stimulate the economy and create jobs after last year’s COVID-19 lockdown.

The 6.5 kilometre long pathway - a joint project between the Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group and Christchurch City Council - provides access along the coastline between Ferrymead and Scarborough Beach in Sumner.

“Since the Government confirmed the funding, we have been working with the Coastal Pathway Group on the detailed design for the final section of pathway,’’ says Council Acting Head of Transport Lynette Ellis.

“It has been a complex task because there is very limited room around the estuary edge for the pathway and we need to make sure that we protect the wildlife in the area.

“However, the bulk of the detailed design work has been done and we are now working through the tender process. We are hoping to get a contractor on board quickly so that work on this final section of the pathway can begin before the end of winter,’’ Ms Ellis says.

Building the final section of the pathway will take many months because of the complex coastal environment.

“We will be working with the selected contractor to keep any traffic disruptions and inconvenience to locals to a minimum during the construction period,’’ Ms Ellis says.