Contractors working for Council are making good progress on road improvements to Albert Street in Ashburton, where the road is being widened and a footpath, with kerb and channel, added.

Group Manager Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said just under 500 metres of road was being improved, from Trevors Road to the Ashburton Christian School.

“This new footpath will make it much safer for all the students who walk or scooter to the school, and a wider road will be safer for those who cycle.”

The $200,000 project is on track to be finished by early March, and the contractor Fulton Hogan is working hard to have two lanes operational within a couple of weeks. The road has been widened from 6.5 metres to 10 metres, including the footpath.

Mr McCann said the new footpath and kerb and channel connects to Council’s existing network, and will improve connectivity in the whole area.

“Money for this, and a few other footpath projects, has come from the Government’s Better Off Funding initiative and we’re happy to see Albert Street almost finished with the new school year under way.”

Fulton Hogan is also completing a footpath project, with associated kerb and channel, on Line Road and Dolma Street, in Methven.