Contractors have begun initial construction work on a new pedestrian/cycle bridge over the Water of Leith close to Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The $1.4 million bridge - its price has increased by $200,000 since an earlier estimate in February - is the latest link in Dunedin’s cycling and walking network.
The bridge will span the Leith between the railway and the harbour, connecting the State Highway 88 shared path to cycleways around the inner harbour and into the central city.
A Dunedin City Council spokeswoman said disruption to the public would be minimised as much as possible during construction. Access to shared paths in the area would be retained, with a detour around the work site on the Magnet St side.
The cable-stay bridge would feature a 20m-high steel mast and timber decking, and landscaping would be done around the bridge to make the area more attractive.
Following confirmation of the final design of the bridge, the cost of construction was expected to be about $1.4 million, with the NZ Transport Agency providing 66% of the funding. Construction was expected to be complete by the end of October.
Work is also under way in Anzac Ave, Portsmouth Dr and on the path along the waterfront, and in Fryatt, Birch and Kitchener Sts.
