MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT COUNCIL He krero n te Kaunihera o Wairau Sounds News Construction gathering momentum on the Whale Trail The most significant structure on the Whale Trail, a walking and cycling clip-on to the Wairau Bridge on State Highway 1, is on target for completion by July, The bridge clip-on, a 15-metre wide deck with two passing bays, is a key component of stage one of the traill development from Picton to Seddon. Fulton Hogan Marlborough are the lead contractor on its construction. Katherine Hume-Pike, Executive Officer for the Marlborough Kaikoura Trail Trust (MKTT), says it has been a successful period of construction and the Trust is pleased that local businesses are doing the work "The last trusses for the clip-on went up recently, which just leaves the approaches to the bridge to be completed. These will link the bridge to the state highway. allowing cyclists to use the clip-on and linking to the off-road trail" Ms Hume-Pike said. "The links to the state highway are to be completed in June to enable the clip-on bridge to be opened in July," she said. "Work on the southern end of the trail is expected to be finished in July or August, weather permitting. We're hoping people will be able to ride from Blenheim to the Wairau Bridge in time for spring "The northern connection will be completed over the summer months along with the trail through the Para wetland to the top of the elevation into Picton "The community benefit of the trail was becoming apparent in sections that had been completed." "Residents are already enjoying the section of trail from Seddon to the southern end of the Awatere bridge, constructed by Simcox Construction at the end of last year. The Whale Trail is all about connecting our places, our people and their stories so it is wonderful to see communities embracing it." Ms Hume-Pike said. Eric Hughes, Pernod Ricard's Winery Manager Marlborough, says the construction of the cycleway on the winery's boundary has ignited an interest by staff to start cycling to work again "With the cost of fuel on the rise and a focus on wellbeing, the addition of the cycleway will get some staff exercising to and from work safely," he said. Trail construction has also been completed from Riverlands through to the Redwood Pass Road by Elite Excavation Marlborough, in conjunction with Richardson Brothers, which includes a bridge over the co-op drain. "The Trust would like to acknowledge and thank the nine private landowners who have enabled these sections of the trail to be realised," Ms Hume-Pike said. "Our construction team is always conscious to contribute to the local environment and minimise impact during the building of the trail," she said. "They have cleaned up rubbish along the new trail at Riverlands and recycled concrete waste was also used as hard fill for some sections, which prevented material going to land The aim is for the Picton to Seddon leg of the trail to be completed by mid-2023. Community consultation included a drop-in event in Seddon in Aprill focussing on the use of the Redwood Pass Road as part of the trail, with helpful feedback shared, Ms Hume-Pike said. There was also a community event in May in Ward as work begins on the next phase of the project, which is Seddon to Ward. MKTT has initiated the trail development with up to $18M of funding for construction provided from the Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund administered by Kanoa-Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit. The Council has also committed up to $2M in co-funding. WMMUN The Whole Trois clip-on to the Worou Bridge on State Highways on trock to be finished by July Tral construction is complete from Riverionds through to the Redwood Pass Rood including this bridge over the co-op drain Council's Harbours team - working to ensure our waterways are safe for everyone to enjoy. Contact the Harbourmaster's Office if you need advice or information about Marlborough's harbours. 03 520 7400 | HARBOURS@MARLBOROUGH.GOVT.NZ WWW.MARLBOROUGH.GOVT.NZ | 03 520 7400 | 15 SEYMOUR STREET, BLENHEIM, 7201 NEW ZEALAND MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT COUNCIL He krero n te Kaunihera o Wairau Sounds News Construction gathering momentum on the Whale Trail The most significant structure on the Whale Trail , a walking and cycling clip - on to the Wairau Bridge on State Highway 1 , is on target for completion by July , The bridge clip - on , a 15 - metre wide deck with two passing bays , is a key component of stage one of the traill development from Picton to Seddon . Fulton Hogan Marlborough are the lead contractor on its construction . Katherine Hume - Pike , Executive Officer for the Marlborough Kaikoura Trail Trust ( MKTT ) , says it has been a successful period of construction and the Trust is pleased that local businesses are doing the work " The last trusses for the clip - on went up recently , which just leaves the approaches to the bridge to be completed . These will link the bridge to the state highway . allowing cyclists to use the clip - on and linking to the off - road trail " Ms Hume - Pike said . " The links to the state highway are to be completed in June to enable the clip - on bridge to be opened in July , " she said . " Work on the southern end of the trail is expected to be finished in July or August , weather permitting . We're hoping people will be able to ride from Blenheim to the Wairau Bridge in time for spring " The northern connection will be completed over the summer months along with the trail through the Para wetland to the top of the elevation into Picton " The community benefit of the trail was becoming apparent in sections that had been completed . " " Residents are already enjoying the section of trail from Seddon to the southern end of the Awatere bridge , constructed by Simcox Construction at the end of last year . The Whale Trail is all about connecting our places , our people and their stories so it is wonderful to see communities embracing it . " Ms Hume - Pike said . Eric Hughes , Pernod Ricard's Winery Manager Marlborough , says the construction of the cycleway on the winery's boundary has ignited an interest by staff to start cycling to work again " With the cost of fuel on the rise and a focus on wellbeing , the addition of the cycleway will get some staff exercising to and from work safely , " he said . Trail construction has also been completed from Riverlands through to the Redwood Pass Road by Elite Excavation Marlborough , in conjunction with Richardson Brothers , which includes a bridge over the co - op drain . " The Trust would like to acknowledge and thank the nine private landowners who have enabled these sections of the trail to be realised , " Ms Hume - Pike said . " Our construction team is always conscious to contribute to the local environment and minimise impact during the building of the trail , " she said . " They have cleaned up rubbish along the new trail at Riverlands and recycled concrete waste was also used as hard fill for some sections , which prevented material going to land The aim is for the Picton to Seddon leg of the trail to be completed by mid - 2023 . Community consultation included a drop - in event in Seddon in Aprill focussing on the use of the Redwood Pass Road as part of the trail , with helpful feedback shared , Ms Hume - Pike said . There was also a community event in May in Ward as work begins on the next phase of the project , which is Seddon to Ward . MKTT has initiated the trail development with up to $ 18M of funding for construction provided from the Covid - 19 Response and Recovery Fund administered by Kanoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit . The Council has also committed up to $ 2M in co - funding . WMMUN The Whole Trois clip - on to the Worou Bridge on State Highways on trock to be finished by July Tral construction is complete from Riverionds through to the Redwood Pass Rood including this bridge over the co - op drain Council's Harbours team - working to ensure our waterways are safe for everyone to enjoy . Contact the Harbourmaster's Office if you need advice or information about Marlborough's harbours . 03 520 7400 | HARBOURS@MARLBOROUGH.GOVT.NZ WWW.MARLBOROUGH.GOVT.NZ | 03 520 7400 | 15 SEYMOUR STREET , BLENHEIM , 7201 NEW ZEALAND