Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (UCTT) members celebrated the completion of a 1.4km track extension yesterday (Friday July 2).

The newly-opened section of track connects the portion of the Hāwea River Track between the Albert Town Bridge and the Hāwea River swing bridge.

“What it’s done is linked the two bridges, so when you come off the Albert Town Bridge there’s a purpose built track and it carries on right to the swing bridge,” UCTT chair John Hare said.

Previously, cyclists and walkers have had to travel this section via the unsealed road, which “gets churned up in summer and gets very dusty and corrugated,” John said.

The Hāwea River Track is designated as a commuter track and this latest project completes another link in the network.

“Now it’s a purpose built cycleway and walkway,” John said, adding that as well as its use for commuters “it’s also very convenient for those people that like to go for a Sunday ride out to Hāwea”.

Another nearby project currently underway will help cyclists and walkers avoid travelling on the road near the Albert Town Bridge. PHOTO: Wanaka App

The project was a joint venture between the UCTT, a non-profit group dedicated to creating a high quality network of trails around the Upper Clutha, and the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

The project cost around $70,000, and the two parties paid roughly half each.

The UCTT is also assisting the New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) on another part of the commuter network: a track that will help cyclists and walkers crossing the Albert Town Bridge to avoid travelling along the road.

“The track is going to go from the bridge right round the new apartments [currently under construction next to the Albert Town commercial area], up on to Alison Avenue and around the corner of Frye Crescent,” John said.