Pathway diverted for crucial work

Users of the Bridle Track at the Esplanade will be diverted from 11 January as Horizons Regional Council undertakes crucial erosion protection work on the Manawatu River.

Horizons group manager river management Allan Cook says the rock lining will provide protection to a section of river bank that has been steadily eroding and encroaching upon the path.

“This work is considered critical for three reasons; protecting the shared pathway, a high voltage powerline and a key water main,” says Mr Cook.

“Signage diverting members of the public around the site is in place and we expect the project to take approximately 10 weeks. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and will do all we can to minimise disruption of recreational activity.”

Mr Cook says trucks will be carting in rock from Centennial Drive, under the bridge and stockpiling the rock on the berm area below the bridge.

“As this will involve trucks crossing the pathway at Centennial Drive, we ask people to please exercise care when crossing the site access. The rock lining will consist of approximately 7,000 tonnes of rock and will be 180 metres long.

“Work is expected to be underway between 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday, and 8am and 12pm on Saturdays, to take advantage of the summer low flow period,” he says.

The project is jointly funded by the Lower Manawatu Scheme, Powerco and Palmerston North City Council. For any questions, please contact project manager Paul Joseph on 021 2277 088.