The public has given the Plummers Point Connection cycleway a big thumbs up following this weekend’s official opening.
More than 200 people, with bikes, scooters and pooches, joined representatives from Western Bay of Plenty District Council, the NZ Transport Agency and Tauranga City Council in marking the cycleway’s official opening – the latest section in the Omokoroa to Tauranga Cycleway.
Pirirakau Hapū, who have been involved in the cycleway project since its inception, blessed the new 1.5km section, followed by official opening ceremonies.
The new Plummers Point Connection links with the completed section from the Omokoroa Esplanade to Lynley Park Reserve. Already proving popular according to Council statistics.
Over the weekend the new cycleway attracted 2254 users – 1403 cyclists and 851 walkers while the Plummers Point shortcut (to Plummers Point Road) had 468 – 386 cyclists and 82 walkers.
Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber says it was a special day for Council and all those involved in the construction of the Omokoroa to Tauranga Cycleway.
“The Plummers Point Connection is an exceptional section of the route. It is a lovely scenic pathway, made up of new and existing off-road shared paths and local road connections – and it provides the link with Huharua Regional Park.
“This is one of just three stages to be completed – ahead of the project’s overall completion, including the final State Highway 2 bridge clip-on cycleway over the Wairoa River – which we anticipate completing by Christmas.”
Transport Agency Bay of Plenty Transport Systems Manager, Rob Campbell, says it is fantastic to work with Council to create more opportunities for cyclists in the Western Bay.
“The construction of new walking and cycling networks will encourage more people to choose to walk or cycle to work, school, the shops, and for recreation.”
He says a total of $33 million is being spent on walking and cycling initiatives in the Bay of Plenty between 2018-2021.
The Omokoroa to Tauranga cycleway is a $13.02m project – funded by the Transport Agency $8.05m. TECT $1.0m, Tauranga City Council $1.0m, NZCT (New Zealand Community Trust) $1.0m, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council $1.81m.
