The NZTA has confirmed that it has received funding to start work on the final stretch of the Te Awa River Ride shared path that runs between Cambridge and Hamilton.
The NZTA will build the first section of the 20km path later this year. It is the last link to create a continuous cycling and walking route from Karapiro to Ngaruawahia.
“Once this is complete we will have a 60 kilometre path from south of Karapiro to Ngaruawahia, providing amazing recreational and tourism opportunities for the Waikato,” says Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust General Manager Jennifer Palmer.
The final route is not yet confirmed but it will be a combination of roadside paths and purpose-built sections nearer the river which will provide connections to community facilities and the existing cycle networks of Cambridge, Tamahere, and Hamilton.
“As part of a separate project, we’re also investigating how we can connect the southern end of Te Awa with the northern end of the Waikato River Trail at Horahora,” Ms Palmer says.
The Te Awa River Ride from Cambridge to Hamilton will be built in four sections.
Sections 1 and 2 will be constructed by the NZ Transport Agency and Waipa District Council respectively and will link Cambridge and SH21 Airport Road.
Sections 3 and 4 will be built by the Waikato District Council and Hamilton City Council and will link SH21 with the existing cycle network at Cobham Drive.
Funding for the three local authorities is subject to confirmation in their respective long-term plans and the Regional Land Transport Plan 2018-21 which should be finalised this year.
For more details including a map of the proposed route click here.
