Project Title
Widdershin Track Construction

Client
Nelson City Council

Location
Dun Mountain Trail, Brook Valley, Nelson

Services
Trail Redevelopment

Project Budget
$42,000

Year
2014

Key to this project was the creation of a Grade 3 standard track to connect the much loved Involution and Barnicoat Trails. No design or alignment was specified for this track, just a budget, a start and an end point. The rest was left to the skill and expertise of our in-house design and implementation team.

This project required us to:

Identify the best possible line to meet the required gradient
Cut the initial track line by removing existing vegetation
Use of a 1.5 tonne digger to form the track
Use existing onsite materials for track surfacing
Install suitable drainage methods to deal with the high rainfall that the area can experience

Project Title
Upgrade of the Dun Mountain Trail (from Copper Mine Saddle to South Branch River)

Client
Nelson City Council

Location
Dun Mountain Trail, Brook Valley, Nelson

Services
Realignment of existing track to meet gradient requirement for cycling and improve surface for walking.

Project Budget
$220,000

Year
Ongoing

Nelmac has been contracted to upgrade the entire Dun Mountain Trail over several years, carrying out the work in stages to avoid interruptions for users whenever possible.

The section of upgrade from Copper Mine Saddle to the South Branch River involved adjusting the existing track, which was extremely rough, to meet the standards of New Zealand’s Cycle Trail network. At the same time, we were able to improve the surface for walkers who also have access to the trail.

Using equipment ranging from a 1.5 tonne digger right down to various hand tools, the work included installation of drainage swales, box culverts and cut off drains, installation of rock retaining and rock placement for stream crossings. When planning the new route, our experienced track cutters had to consider the line and gradient and worked hard to minimise vegetation loss and disturbance .

Given the high rainfall the area can experience, ensuring effective drainage was a critical consideration to ensure the longevity of the track surface.