The next piece of the puzzle for the Queenstown Trail will begin today with the start of construction near Arrowtown, marking the halfway mark for the 90km track.
The $5 million trail, due to be finished next September, will allow cyclists to ride from Queenstown to Gibbston and is part of the New Zealand Cycleway initiative.
Queenstown Trails Trust chief executive Kaye Parker said construction had reached "about the halfway mark", and they were on target for the scheduled finish date of September 12.
"There is a lot to do, but we're confident it'll be ready by next September."
Mrs Parker said construction around the Twin River area, Arrow River and Gibbston valley was also making progress.
"It's like a bit of a jigsaw."
The Trails Trust still has $500,000 to raise to reach its $5 million target and on November 18 it will be holding a "New World Wakatipu Trail Blazer" event, which will involve walkers, runners and cyclists.
The new section of trail will follow the Arrow River from Tobins Track down the existing Millennium Track.
It will pass the Arrowtown golf course, then twice cross the Arrow River over a 20m timber bridge and a 65m suspension bridge before reaching Whitechapel Rd.
Work will close off a 300m section of the Millennium Track stretching upstream from the Jopp St Bridge while culverts are replaced.
The track is expected to reopen by Friday.
Queenstown District Council general manager community services Paul Wilson said Arrowtown-based firm Natural Habitats would be constructing the latest stage.
"We're asking track users to avoid using this section [this] week while the work is taking place."
Construction of the track will continue until mid-February, with work scheduled to cease temporarily over the busy summer period from mid December till the end of January.
