The cycleway links the ever growing Gillieston Heights area to Maitland CBD and provides locals with greater access to Maitland Park and Maitland businesses
- Loretta Baker
There will be 'wheel' excitement among cyclists and runners with long awaited completion of the Cessnock Road Cycleway this week.
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The Cessnock Road Cycleway, which has a price tag of $2.45 million, consists 2,240 metres of cycleway from James Leslie Drive to the pedestrian overpass at the New England Highway near Walker Street.
Maitland mayor Mayor Loretta Baker, who officially opened the new shared path on Wednesday, said the cycleway was a major boost in connecting residents and visitors throughout the region.
"It's fantastic to see this project come to completion. Throughout the pandemic, more and more people turned to outdoor exercise, so I'm sure that the completed cycleway will be extremely popular for our community," Cr Baker said.
"The cycleway links the ever growing Gillieston Heights area to Maitland CBD and provides locals with greater access to Maitland Park and Maitland businesses."
Construction commenced in 2019, and was funded through Council's developer contributions associated with the Gillieston Heights residential development, capital funding and a $950,000 grant under the first round of the NSW Government's Stronger Country Community Fund.
Construction was rolled out in four stages.
Locals have been using sections of the cycleway since the first stage was completed in mid 2019, but now cyclists and pedestrians will have improved access from Gillieston Heights to Central Maitland.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the Cessnock Road Cycleway will provide greater connectivity for local cyclists while encouraging more people to get outdoors and become more active.
"The Stronger Country Communities Fund is delivering projects right across regional NSW that are making a big difference to everyday life," he said.
"I am proud that the now completed Cessnock Road Cycleway will provide local cyclists and pedestrians with safer and convenient access to the New England overpass."
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