Hamilton’s Te Awa River Path rideway reopens

A long-awaited section of Hamilton’s Te Awa River Path officially reopened this week and is ready to welcome back users such as e-bike riders after two years.

This section of the popular river path has been closed since mid-2018 after slips compromised its stability.

E-bike fan Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate is “absolutely thrilled” the path is open in time for summer.

“The river ride path is one of Hamilton’s most popular outdoor spaces and these repairs have been a long, long time coming – too long.

“We know the public has been waiting for the path to be useable for a long time so it’s fabulous to see this section finally back up and running in time for the warmer months. And it means I can use my electric bike more which is brilliant!”

Funded in partnership with Hamilton City Council, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the Provincial Development Unit, the project included more than 2.4km of enhancements on the river’s western side.

More than 15,000 plants were used in the project, which focused on embracing the natural environment and opening the city to the river.

Last month, the fast-tracked, five-month project won Hamilton City Council a national infrastructure award for Excellence in Social Impact.

The award was presented as part of a major symposium on rebuilding the country from the impacts of COVID-19.

“There have been a lot of wins from this project and the fact that the costs were shared between three partners is one of them,” Southgate says.

“But it’s also been great to see 50 people employed and gaining skills that some of them are already using in new jobs.”

Deputy mayor Geoff Taylor says the river paths offer users a safe network for alternative transport and provided a vital link to the central city.

“We’re doing everything we can to make it easier to get people into the central city and providing safe cycling paths is part of that.

“It’s part of a much wider programme of work to enhance the city and turn it around to face the river, as it should.”