COMMUNITY feedback is being sought on proposed routes for a shared path linking Alstonville and Ballina, with the project expected to cost up to $35 million.<\/p>\n
Concept designs and high-level cost estimates have been prepared, with projected costs ranging from $27.3 million to $34.8 million depending on the chosen route.<\/p>\n
The investigation considered environmental, engineering, cost and heritage constraints to ensure the path is practical and sustainable.<\/p>\n
The project is part of the Ballina Shire Bike Plan, which aims to make the region more bicycle friendly and better integrate cycling into the local transport network.<\/p>\n
While staged funding and construction have extended the coastal shared pathway between Ballina and Lennox Head, a route connecting Alstonville has not yet been established.<\/p>\n
With support from the state government’s Get NSW Active program, the council has identified four potential route options.<\/p>\n
The preferred southern route, including a connection to Duck Creek Mountain Bike Park, is estimated to cost $27.3 million.<\/p>\n
The preferred northern route is estimated at $34.1 million.<\/p>\n
Ballina Shire Council development and traffic engineer Patrick Knight said the routes had been developed following detailed investigations.<\/p>\n
“Council has undertaken detailed investigations to identify feasible route options, carefully considering environmental, engineering and cost constraints,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We’re now inviting the community to review the concept designs and tell us what’s important to them, to help inform the selection of a preferred route.”<\/p>\n
The southern route follows Wardell Road before running south of the Bruxner Highway, partly along an old highway formation.<\/p>\n
It includes a connection to Duck Creek Mountain Bike Park and crosses Emigrant Creek via a proposed new footbridge before joining Smith Drive.<\/p>\n
The northern route follows Ballina Road in Alstonville before continuing along the north side of the Bruxner Highway.<\/p>\n
It offers a direct route but requires elevated boardwalk sections through the Ballina Cutting, making it more complex and costly to build and maintain.<\/p>\n
Two other route options are also under consideration, with community feedback to guide the final selection and future planning.<\/p>\n
The proposal is on public exhibition until April 28.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
COMMUNITY feedback is being sought on proposed routes for a shared path linking Alstonville and Ballina, with the project expected to cost up to $35 million. Concept designs and high-level cost estimates have been prepared, with projected costs ranging from $27.3 million to $34.8 million depending on the chosen route. The investigation considered environmental, engineering, […]<\/p>\n