Progress Update
It's quiet.... But is it?
Things continue apace on the design work of the overall tunnels trail with a target of plans to be completed this year and submitted to Waka Kotahi for funding approval.
An elevated timber boardwalk track is currently proposed to climb up from Gladstone Road to the rail formation going to the Chain Hills tunnel and a bridge to cross Abbotts Creek are to name two particular design features.
Work has also be progressed on finalising the route between Green Island and the Caversham tunnel portal on Kaikorai Valley Road and we want to thank all landowners involved with this design. Attention is turning to the Caversham Tunnel to determine the works involved and to start to work through design aspects.
Meanwhile, as per the previous post, vegetation clearance has been done on part of the planned route over the old rail formation near Chain Hills tunnel, as well as more recent work closer to the tunnel portal on the Wingatui side.
Also underway is a plan to fix parts of the brickwork within the Chain Hills tunnel in the next few months to allow us to open the tunnel as a public walkway. This will let people enjoy the structure and the area before the trail itself is completed.
We hope to run another Public Open Day at the Chain Hills tunnel in the near future – stay tuned both here and on our Facebook page.