Late last year the JV was awarded the CCC Cycleways contract for the University and area around Riccarton Bush. Known as the Uni-Cycle Puariki ki Pu-taringa-motu the section of cycle way that the JV are constructing is part of a bigger cycle path that will connect several highschools and intermediate schools along with the university to the Central City. This cycleway also connects with the North West Arch at Ilam Road and the Northern Line at Mona Vale.

13 new Major Cycle Routes will be built over the next seven years. They will connect suburbs, shopping areas, businesses, schools and sporting destinations. The cycleway routes will offer a level of service not seen before in Christchurch and has the full backing of local and central government.

The JV started work in November along University Drive and finished work before the students returned back for the academic year.

The JV has now started the construction of the next stage of the cycleway. This section of the cycleway is located in a largely residential area and will be familiar to those who use these streets to access the Riccarton Market. Work will also be taking place along Dovedale Ave. Information will be made to residents closer to  construction dates and we will be delivering area specific notices to residents who will be affected by our work.

Due to the narrow nature of the streets we will be required to close the road where we are working. There will be detours in place directing people where to go. Work will be happening in several locations and staged to minimise the disruption, however residents should expect periods where vehicle access to their properties will be limited and the footpaths will be cl

osed. We will notify you if your access is going to be directly affected by our work.

At the helm of the University Cycleways project for the JV is newly minted Project Manager Matt Cook. Matt joined City Care in 2012 as a temp labourer to fund his OE. Five years later he is still with the company and was a Project Engineer for the construction of the Margaret Mahy Playground (another JV project). While Matt is sure that the playground will always remain a career highlight, being able to contribute to a new era of transport infrastructure for Christchurch and New Zealand will leave a lasting impression as well.

For more information on the Christchurch Cycleways visit www.ccc.govt.nz/cycles or the Ministry of Transport Urban Cycleways initiative visit http://www.transport.govt.nz/land/land-transport-funding/urban-cycleways/