| 15 Dunedin City Council REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T T Karen Phelps Historic trail finally gets underway The 1.5-kilometre first stage will run from Gladstone Road North along a disused rail alignment through the historic Chain Hills Tunnel and several hundred metres beyond. bonisch.nz Land Development | Planning | Surveying | Civil Engineering | Project Management 0800 802 546 Bonisch offers a comprehensive range of land and development-related professional services. Our experienced team has the expertise to support you through every stage of your project, ensuring it runs smoothly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Let’s talk about your next project. admin@bonisch.nz We’re proud to support Dunedin City Council and the creation of the next stage of the Mosgiel-Fairfield cycle trail, connecting our cherished communities with every pedal stroke through landscapes we've nurtured for over 90 years. Creating, connecting and caring for communities since 1933. fultonhogan.com Construction of the long-awaited Dunedin Tunnels Trail has officially commenced, marking a significant milestone for a project that has been in development for over two decades. The 1.5-kilometre first stage will run from Gladstone Road North along a disused rail alignment through the historic Chain Hills Tunnel and several hundred metres beyond. Expected to open in late October, the initial section will form a return trip for pedestrians and cyclists, offering the public their first taste of what promises to be an exceptional recreational facility, says Glen Hazelton, Dunedin City Council project director major projects and central city plan. The project represents the beginning of an ambitious 15-kilometre trail that will eventually connect Mosgiel to Dunedin city centre, passing through the historic Chain Hills and Caversham tunnels. Both Victorian-era railway tunnels were constructed in the 1870s, but became redundant by 1911 when newer infrastructure was built. Dunedin City Council has fully funded this first stage with a $1.8 million budget, with approximately $400,000 already spent on design, consents and land purchase. The remaining funds will cover construction costs and push the first stage as far as possible before the council works with the Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust to implement subsequent phases. Glen says the Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust, which has been working towards this project for decades, will take the lead on future stages. The trust is currently developing plans for the second stage, working with adjoining landowners and KiwiRail to finalise access arrangements before raising funds for the remainder of the trail. Construction work for stage 1 involves building an unsealed trail surface, drainage improvements, fencing, installation of seating, plantings, handrails, retaining structures, and signage. Some preparatory work on existing tunnel infrastructure has already been undertaken. During construction, the tunnel and surrounding area will remain closed to the public. “Once the first stage is completed, people will see how valuable and cool the trail will be,” says Glen. “This first stage will give people in Mosgiel another recreational attraction, as people can walk or cycle it. It’s quite flat, so will suit a range of people.” Once completed, the full trail will directly link suburbs including Fairfield, Green Island and Mosgiel, eliminating the need for residents to drive between these areas. “It will be good for younger people, in particular, who go between these suburbs for school or sport,” Glen says. The trail is designed to become part of a larger cycling network stretching from Dunedin through to Central Otago, and eventually connecting with shared path cycleways across the region and country. Brent Irving, Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust chairperson, describes the commencement as “fantastic”, noting that it has been working towards this goal since the early 2000s. He says the trust’s ultimate objective is to create a trail network extending from Queenstown to Dunedin city and up the coast. Glen says the project also promises economic benefits for local businesses that typically thrive along recreational trails.
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