A new pedestrian bridge is being installed today alongside State Highway 1 at Tinwald, so people walking along the grass roadside can safely cross over Carters Creek.

Infrastructure and Open Spaces Group Manager Neil McCann said the road reserve, known as the green, was a popular route for pedestrians or people walking dogs in Tinwald.

“Crossing Carters Creek has always been a bit tricky and they had to come out almost to the side of a very busy highway. Now that journey will be much safer.”

A crane was onsite at 6am on Thursday morning and lifted a wide concrete beam on top of footings at the sides of the creek. Rails are to be fitted to the footbridge, and access ramps created; the area will landscaped.

Mr McCann said wider planting was also being planned along both sides of the creek, on either side of the railway that would further enhance the waterway.

Carters Creek originates from springs near the Ashburton River, flows through rural farmland and urban Tinwald and eventually drains into Lake Hood. It also collects surface water and stormwater in big rain events.