Transport options  |  11 Feb 2019

Work is about to start on another section of the Heathcote Expressway – the major cycleway that will link the suburbs of Ferrymead, Opawa and Woolston with the central city.

The cycleway is being built in stages. The first stage, between Wilsons Road and The Tannery in Woolston, is already under construction and due to be completed early this year.

A person biking on a cycleway.

Cycleways are making it easier to get around Christchurch by bike.

Christchurch City Council is now ready to start on the second stage of the route and has engaged Isaac Construction to carry out the work.

The second stage of the cycleway starts at the intersection of Ferry Road and Fitzgerald Avenue and travels along Ferry Road. It then crosses Moorhouse Avenue and goes along Wilsons Road before turning left into Charles Street.

During construction of this stage of the cycleway the affected section of Ferry Road will be one-way, heading into the central city, in order to maintain parking and a consistent flow of traffic. A small section of Wilsons Road between Stevens Street and Moorhouse Avenue will also be one-way.

“We expect this second section of the cycleway to take about six months to complete,’’ says Council Transport Planning and Delivery Manager Lynette Ellis.

Ms Ellis says feedback from the community has resulted in adjustments to the original design of the cycleway to make allowance for how locals and visitors use the street, such as providing increased opportunities for on-street parking.

“A key feature of this second stage of the cycleway is that Ferry Road’s existing wide footpaths will be widened to accommodate one-way cycle paths.

“For safety reasons there will be clear definition along the widened footpath for cyclists and for pedestrians,’’ Ms Ellis says.

The Heathcote Expressway is part of a network of major cycleways that the Council is building to encourage more people to travel by bike.