All aboard the extended Heathcote Express

A sausage sizzle and sizeable crowd of cyclists were ready for the second stretch of the $13.8m Puari ki Kahukura Heathcote expressway which opened yesterday.

Cyclists of all ages lined up to be first on the final length of the expressway, which now links the central city to the Southeast suburbs – among them 77-year-old Heathcote resident Brian Darlow. “It’s a very nice bicycle ride along the river, so I think people will use it for leisure as well as commuting,” he said.

He noted cycling on the road with “all the big trucks and things” was previously a “nightmare” for commuters, for many years. “I think all of Heathcote is absolutely delighted that it’s now opened and we will be using it for sure.”

The track consists of pathways and board walks, with new fencing, lighting, and railway crossings from the Central City to Heathcote Valley. The most recent segment runs beside the Ōpāwaho River, through Kennaway Reserve and down the railway tracks to the heart of Heathcote Valley. The first stretch of the expressway opened in 2017 from Ferry Road to The Tannery, in partnership with Rau Paenga who contributed $8.2m.

Heathcote Ward Councillor Sara Templeton said the Expressway offers an accessible, safe travel option for those on wheels and will bring more life to the area.

“I am so thrilled to see this cycleway open today, it has been hugely anticipated by the local community,” she said.

“There are still many cycle routes still under development, and I can’t wait for the day when our city-wide network is fully established.”