Sleepers from Rena in waterfront walkway

Timber sleepers washed up from the Rena are being incorporated into the new waterfront walkway on The Strand in Tauranga.

Construction company, Downer New Zealand, is removing the old concrete wheel-stop along the harbour edge and replacing it with the refurbished sleepers as a way of creating added value to the main project and a point of interest along what is destined to become a very popular walkway and cycleway.

A sign or plaque alerting visitors to the significance of the timber edging along the boardwalk is expected to be installed before project's end.

Stage one of the walkway project - the northern end - will be open to the public over Easter.

It includes a 5m brushed concrete walkway that runs along the seawall from Dive Crescent to Wharf Street. Landscaping and pohutukawa trees provide a green area between the walkway and the car parking, with refurbished street furniture along the edge of the new walkway.

The second part of the work, which involves renovating the Edgewater Fan area, completing the walkway (which will connect with the Harbourside boardwalk) and the creation of two green spaces in the central and southern reclamation areas, will be completed by July.