Waikato River views feature of expanding cycleway

Construction of the region's newest cycleway, linking Hamilton with Horotiu, is under way.

Te Awa River Ride is being constructed between Fonterra's Te Rapa site and the Horotiu Bridge alongside the Waikato River.

Hamilton City Council is extending the city's northern path along Pukete Rd to link with Te Awa at Meadowview Lane.

It will form part of Te Araroa: The Long Pathway, planned to run the length of New Zealand.

Te Awa River Ride project manager Jennifer Palmer says planning for the section took more than a year and she's pleased construction is starting.

"There's been great support from Hamilton City and Waikato District Council, WEL Energy Trust and Fonterra."

Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker says cycleways throughout the city are enormously popular and being able to travel along the beautiful Waikato River and get up close to the river in parts not previously accessible is fantastic.

When complete, Te Awa will be a 70km shared cycle-walkway running alongside the Waikato River, between Ngaruawahia and Horahora. The first section of Te Awa, linking Leamington with the Mighty River Domain at Lake Karapiro, was opened in October, 2010. Two further sections are under construction - extending the city cycleway to the Horotiu Bridge and the alongside the rowing course at Lake Karapiro.

It is expected the full trail will be finished by 2015.