The ODT has discovered the Dunedin City Council will put out applications for tender for two sections of the planned Dunedin Tunnels Trail.
The contract is an opportunity to construct a 1.55km section of trail either side of the Chain Hills tunnel with the $1.8 million funding left over in the council’s budget.
The council had previously removed $22.4m for the Dunedin Tunnels Trail project from its draft nine-year plan earlier this year.
Mayor Jules Radich has said the cut was part of a $272m cost-saving exercise over the next nine years to reduce pressure on rates.
It was also in response to the new government’s most recent transport programme gutting funding for cycleway projects.
The Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust proposes to create a loop track over Chain Hills, creating an additional recreational opportunity alongside the trail once the proposed contract works are completed.
Should the full trail be completed, it would be a 15km cycle and walking path between Dunedin and Mosgiel.
Trust chairman Brent Irving said it was "good to finally see the rubber hit the road".
It had been a very long journey to even get to this point, he said.
"If you cut to the chase, the major challenge has been around funding.
The council wants the contractor to complete the work by late October.
Future stages of the trail may be developed by either the council or the trust.
At this stage, no timeline or funding has been confirmed for completing the remainder of the trail.
Cr Steve Walker said he was very pleased to hear about the developments.
"I think it would be ideal for all levels of riders as it’s a DCC-developed shared path, particularly in the new world of electric bikes.
"Like all biking and shared-path infrastructure of this sort, the evidence shows that if you build it they will come."
Cr Walker acknowledged the council had several simultaneous priorities, but remained optimistic.
"It would be nice to see council opening up Caversham tunnel as soon as possible, but that will require movement from Three Waters in terms of replacing/repairing some of our infrastructure.
"There may also be other options for us as council to look at that may help the trust progress things independently of council."
He hoped once this stage was complete, it would highlight "how vital this link is in terms of making sure we connect all parts of Dunedin".
