Work has begun on the first stage of a $4.5 million cycle network around South Dunedin.
Fulton Hogan began preparing the area for the work yesterday with construction expected to start today. The first stage of the cycle network traverses South Dunedin and links it to the central city by a continuous, separated route for cyclists to allow them to get around safely.
Dunedin City Council senior contracts engineer Chris Hasler said over the next three months cycle lanes would be constructed and expanded on parts of Portobello Rd, Shore St, Portsmouth Dr, Royal Cres and Wharf St.
The South Dunedin network is the first part to be designed and constructed of a wider strategic cycle network for Dunedin adopted, by the council in August 2011.
The South Dunedin network is set to cost $4.5 million, with the New Zealand Transport Agency covering $3 million of that cost and the council paying $1.5 million.
Mr Hasler said the work starting this week was the first of four packages of work needed to construct the whole South Dunedin network.
The route will include separated cycling facilities, shared paths, on-road bicycle lanes and ''quiet streets'' - quiet back-street routes where traffic speeds may be lowered.
Next will come the construction of the east-west cycle link of the South Dunedin cycle network, from Forbury Rd to Royal Cres.
In that area, separated cycle lanes will be built on the north side of Coughtrey and Richardson Sts, while sections of Bellona, New and Rugby Sts will become ''quiet streets''.
Affected people on that route had been consulted, and the finer design details were being worked on, in time for work to start there, once the first package of work was completed in March, Mr Hasler said.
