Work set to begin linking Railway Reserve to Maitai

Sunday, 6 September 2020

Roadworks will begin at the intersection of Rutherford St, Halifax St and Paru Paru Rd on September 21.

Work is about to begin to “fill a missing gap” in the shared pathway network, connecting the Railway Reserve pathway on St Vincent St to the Maitai.

Extensive roadworks will start on September 14 with adjustments to the Haven Rd, Vanguard St and Rutherford Street area to accommodate a bus detour.

The bulk of the construction work will run for 12 weeks, weather-dependent, from September 21. This work will include changes to the intersection of Halifax St, Rutherford St and Paru Paru Rd.

Halifax St between Rutherford St and the Haven Rd roundabout will be closed from 21 September for the duration of the works.

Planned road closures (red) and detours (buses in pink, cars in yellow and orange) for the 12 week duration of roadwork connecting the shared cycle/walkway from St Vincent St to the Maitai via Rutherford St and Paru Paru Rd.

* Protest held to celebrate the Railway Reserve and petition calls for its preservation

* Nelson City Council backpedals on Haven Rd cycleway connection

The beginning of the roadworks comes just a few weeks after a report to the council warned that there would be “a lot more orange cones” appearing in the city as projects delayed by Covid-19 got back underway and new economy-boosting works got underway.

Nelson City Council said in a statement that the temporary road closure was “the safest and most efficient way” to complete the roadworks, and there would be clearly labelled detour routes for both cars and buses.

Group manager of infrastructure Alec Louverdis said the work was to “make it easy for people to choose to walk or cycle in Nelson”.

“Every person who walks or cycles represents a reduction in congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Safe shared pathways make cycling an option for less experienced riders, and provide walkers with a more pleasant way to navigate their city.”

The roadworks and closures will disrupt some carpool parking on the section of Haven Road bordering Anzac Park. The council encouraged users of the park to look up alternative carpool parking options on their website.