Spades, scissors and pedals dominated Transport Minister Simon Bridges' morning in Whanganui yesterday as he turned the first sod of a new inner city cycleway and later cut the ribbon to open the first of a three-section riverside cycleway.
Both projects are jointly funded by the Whanganui District Council and the Government through the Urban Cycleways Programme, costing nationally $333 million "and then some."
"When completed, these two paths will contribute to a safer, more connected cycle network for Whanganui, giving people greater access to their homes, schools, and workplaces," Mr Bridges said.
The morning began at Whanganui Intermediate School with a ceremonial sod turning to mark the beginning of a 2.3km inner-city cycleway scheduled for completion by June next year.
![Mayor Hamish McDouall, left, Minister Simon Bridges and Whanganui MP Chester Borrows turn the first sod.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/UJ7Z3DZYI6HTLRNWCNUTKSMJOA.jpg?auth=8f9de5e772cf352247ad0c436877c16b8db0d6f7b46a30b30ae1c6ef2b56926c&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)