Bridge Clip-on Completes Hastings/Havelock North Cycle Link

A steel clip-on to the Crosses Road Bridge is the final piece in a 1.2 kilometre cycleway which will give cyclists a safe off-road alternative to riding down Havelock Road.

On Wednesday, 17 June, the engineers will close Crosses Road Bridge from 8.30am to 1.00pm.

Infracon, Patton Engineering and bridge builders Morris and Bailey will use two cranes to swing three 12 tonne pre-fabricated steel sections into place.

The new cycle route runs from Ada Street in Hastings, down Crosses Road to Napier Road in Havelock North.

Cycle Strategy Group chair Cynthia Bowers says the $1m project is part of the Council’s cycle strategy which aims to make Hastings roads safer for cyclists.

“Council recently put cycle lanes along Havelock Road to increase safety there but this gives cyclists a safe off-road alternative.

“The link between Havelock North and Hastings is especially important for Karamu High School students as the pathway ends near their school.”

Ultimately the Crosses Road development is another link in the Rotary Pathway chain and eventually River Road will join Havelock North to Clive and then Napier beyond that.

“This is a big investment for Council but it’s extremely worthwhile. It sends a message that Council is treating cycling in the district seriously and making a financial commitment to back it.”

The cycleway is already proving popular but now cyclists won’t have to go back onto the road to cross the bridge.

For safety reasons the project is weather dependent so if it rains early next week the bridge installation may be delayed and the road will remain open.