Work begins on Te Ara Ahi cycle trail

FILE/PHOTO

Work has begun on the upgrade on the Hemo Gorge section of Rotorua's Te Ara Ahi cycle trail.

The section from Te Puia to the Rotorua Mountain Bike carpark in Waipa State Mill Rd will be closed 7am to 4pm weekdays, except for Christmas Eve to 2 January.

Riders will need to use the on-road cycle lane into Waipa State Mill Rd until works are completed in late January.

Rotorua Lakes Council Sports & Recreation manager, Rob Pitkethley, said opening up the Hemo Gorge as part of the initial build of Te Ara Ahi was a great addition to the national cycleway.

"It's a beautiful part of the trail that is used by hundreds of people on a daily basis. However it needs some refinement to ensure it meets the expectations for grade criteria of the cycleway, particularly for international tourists.

"The upgrade will significantly improve the quality and safety of this section of trail. Works will realign parts of the track to reduce the gradient, bringing it more in line with the preceding and following sections which are grade 2."

Earlier this month Rotorua Lakes Council received funding of $14,800 towards the project from the government. Additional funding for the project has also been secured from Te Puia, as a stakeholder in this section of the trail.

Mr Pitkethley said the opportunity to secure funding to undertake improvements on the trail was timely. He said the aim was to improve the quality and safety of the trail before an influx of visitors to the city for the Rotorua Bike Festival in February and Crankworx international mountain bike festival in March.

The trail will remain open on weekends and from 24 December to 2 January. Works will recommence on 3 January and return to weekday closures.

Works are expected to be completed by January 20.