Replaced footbridge links cycle trail leg | Northland News | Local News in Northland

The last gap in the cycle trail along the old rail corridor from Kaikohe to Okaihau has been closed.

The Twin Coast Cycleway, or Pou Herenga Tai, could eventually stretch more than 80km from Horeke in South Hokianga to Opua in the Bay of Islands.

It is hoped at least part of the trail will be open in time for the Rugby World Cup later this year.

Work is most advanced on a 13km section along the old branch railway from Kaikohe to Okaihau, which is due to host a public cycling event later this month.

On Monday the last gap in the Kaikohe-Okaihau leg was filled when a bridge was lowered into place across the stream which drains Lake Omapere.

The 9m bridge was built by Whangaroa-based business Buildall Holdings, by recycling what was left of a pedestrian bridge from Kawakawa's Johnson Park. The footbridge was snapped in half by the flood of January 29-30 this year.

Buildall Holdings field manager Damien Whyte said the damaged bridge had been stored in a Far North District Council yard since the flood, and re-using it made sense financially and environmentally.

Lowering the bridge into place using a truck went surprisingly smoothly.

The firm re-used the old railway bridge foundations, made of Australian hardwood and still in good condition.

On May 29, the trail will see its first official cycling event with Far North Mayor Wayne Brown challenging Northlanders to join him on the 13km ride from Okaihau to Kaikohe.

The Mayoral Challenge will start at 10am from Two Ponga Park in Okaihau, with registration from 9am on the day or in advance by calling 0800 920 029.

The Kaikohe-Okaihau leg features an 80m-long rail tunnel dating back to 1915, rich Maori history and views across Lake Omapere.

The Twin Coast Cycleway started as a Kaikohe community project but is now part of a network of cycleways being built around the country and championed by Prime Minister John Key.

Fencing, surfacing and cattle stops are complete from Kaikohe as far as the new bridge.

Sixty jobless Northlanders were employed through the Community Max scheme for six months to clear the trail. A dozen Northland contractors and four Maori Trusts have also carried out work.

The Moerewa-based He Iwi Kotahi Tatou Trust is carving a series of pou pou (carved posts) to be placed along the route.

The project, however, has not been without controversy.

While the rail corridor which forms much of the route remains the property of Government agency OnTrack, some adjoining landowners had expected it to be returned in Treaty of Waitangi settlements.