Waitomo District Council (WDC) have added 125 metres of footpath to Rora Street as part of its footpath improvement programme.

The project which is due to be completed this week has seen a new footpath constructed at the southern end of Rora Street, Te Kuiti from the railway plaza to the Japanese Garden. 

Tony Hale, general manager infrastructure services says, "The new footpath improves access to the Southern end of town. We know footpaths are important to our residents and this project is a continuation of our Rora Street programme.

We've also made improvements to the kerb, lowering parts to allow pedestrians who use mobility scooters, wheelchairs or prams for example, safe, level and easy access from the road.”

The addition of a refuge island in the centre of Rora Street will also mean pedestrians can now safely cross to the middle of the road.

Those who have seen the new footpath may have noticed it has a wave to it.

Tony says, "There's good reason for that.  Underground services like electricity cables dictate where we can build. But it's also important our footpaths look good, so it's a bit of a balancing act."

Construction began at the end of September and was undertaken by Inframax who were awarded the footpath contract by WDC earlier in the year