A ceremony today marked the opening of the Gladstone Road Bridge shared path which will improve safety for people walking and cycling through one of Gisborne’s busiest thoroughfares.
Construction began in August last year to widen the bridge by 1.5 metres to create a three-metre-wide shared path.
Tairawhiti Roads General Manager Dave Hadfield says the new path is an integral part of creating a safer and more efficient cycling network in Gisborne.
“Safe cycleways provide a healthier option for people to get around the city, and with more people being encouraged to get on their bikes it will also mean less congestion on the roads.
“I know the community will join me in celebrating this fantastic new addition to Gisborne’s cycling network,” Mr Hadfield says.
The $2 million project was funded by the National Land Transport Fund and the Urban Cycleways Programme, aimed at encouraging more people to travel by bike.
Gladstone Road Bridge was originally built in 1925 and holds Category 2 Pouhere Taonga status. The Tairawhiti Roads team worked with Heritage NZ on the project to retain elements of the original bridge.
“Replicas of the original concrete balustrades remain at both ends of the bridge, but the middle spans of the downstream railing have been replaced with see-through handrails, opening up a great view of the river for those travelling across the bridge,” Mr Hadfield says.
The project team has also worked with the Navigations Programme team to coordinate the Tupapa Trail markers at each end of the bridge.
Concrete Structures Ltd. delivered the project with subcontractor Ritchie Civil.
“We’d like to thank the community for their patience and their respect for our work crew throughout the duration of this project,” Mr Hadfield says.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the community enjoy the benefits of the new path and expect plenty of families will be making the most of it these school holidays.”
More information on the Gladstone Road Bridge walkway widening project can be found at: www.nzta.govt.nz/gladstone-road-bridge
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