Current Progress
25/08/10
The DCC Feasibility Study has been released and offers 4 options. Option A at $1.3 million does NOT use either tunnel. Option B at $3.3 million opens up Caversham Tunnel but uses the existing roads from there to Mosgiel. Option C at $7.7 million creates the full cycle trail from Caversham to WIngatui through both tunnels and along beside the existing rail line. These are "Rolls Royce" specifications, with full lighting, ventilation systems and CCTV cameras in both tunnels; full lighting and asphalt surface along the whole length of the track. There is also a note estimating $1.7m coming in from tourism per year from Option C, a payback within 5 years purely from tourism in addition to the benefits to the local community for recreation and commuting. Option D opens both tunnels but uses existing roads between them at $5.5 million.
23/04/10
A Feasibility Study is now to be carried on a Southern Cycleway between Dunedin and Mosgiel, with the two tunnels being considered as one possible option. The report is expected to be completed by the end of June 2010.
12/04/10
Submissions have been made to the 2010 DCC Annual Plan regarding a Tunnels trail. We await the outcome.
05/08/09
We're now on Facebook. Please feel free to become a fan.
01/07/09
The DCC are shortly to start a Feasibility Study of a Tunnels Trail from Caversham through to Wingatui.
18/05/09
Submissions have been made to both the DCC Annual Plan (LTCCP) and ORC Regional Transport Plan regarding a Tunnels trail. We await the outcome. Additionally, the news of the government's Cycleway initiative has been warmly welcomed!
02/03/09
A charitable trust: the Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust is being set up with the intention of going into partnership with the DCC to promote a cycling and walking trail from Dunedin to Wingatui through the Caversham and Chain Hills tunnels.
02/03/2009 Initial Survey results are available as a PDF file.
28/11/08
We will be looking to establish a charitable Trust in the very near future to begin fundraising to progress the trail and tunnel usage.
24/11/08
At a meeting of the Infrastructure Services Committee today, the Council decided to delay any investigation into the re-use of the Caversham and Chain hills tunnels until the 2009/2010 period when an application for funding assistance for such an investigation can be sought from NZTA. In the meantime, possible land ownership and/or easement issues for the longer term rail trail will be looked at separately.
25/10/08
Our thanks to Clare Noakes for the opportunity to visit the eastern end of the old Chain Hills tunnel - new photos in the gallery.
29/08/08
On 29th of August an informal meeting was held between the DCC Infrastructure Services Committee, DCC staff, and tunnel advocates.
This was an opportunity for us to present our ideas for reopening the Caversham and Chain Hills tunnels, and creating a trail between them. Problems and opportunities with these ideas were briefly discussed.
A number of the issues raised will be investigated by DCC staff and their report is due back to the Infrastructure Services Committee late November.