The Chain Hills Tunnel opened in the 1870s as a single railway line, before being decommissioned more than three decades later. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
A Dunedin community group's pipe dream to forge a flat cycle trail through the hilly city to Mosgiel is closer to becoming a reality.
The first stage from farmland, through an 1800s Victorian gothic railway tunnel and into native bush is nearing completion after years of mahi.
On Friday, the trail welcomed a $2 million boost from the government to help extend to the suburbs of Fairfield, Abbotsford and Green Island.
Home to the world's steepest street, Dunedin is no stranger to hills, but a trail that has been years in the making promises far smoother sailing, using historic railway stations to cut through the hills.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston got boots on the trail, as she announced the funding boost.
"We wanted projects that were ready to go and that would have a significant impact, and also the support from local councils was important, so the Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust stages two and three are ready to go," she said.
"It was a really easy investment decision to put $2 million into this project."
Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust trustees, including Kate Wilson on the far right, with Minister Louise Upston. Photo: RNZ/Tess Brunton
Kate Wilson from the Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust welcomed the news, saying they could go out to the community with confidence.
"It's a project now, it's not just a dream," Wilson said.
Years of mahi had got to this stage, with still plenty more to come, she said.
"It's been a long slow burn and it consistently has little moments of one step backwards, but generally, we get two steps forward and just overwhelming community support."
Girl guides, rotarians, schools and others have pitched in with planting and other tasks to help keep the project on track.
Work is underway to prepare the Chain Hills Tunnel to re-open. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
Trust chairman Brent Irving said some trustees had tried to make this happen for about 20 years.
"We got $1.8 million from the Dunedin City Council to get stage one going, and the $2 million gets to stages two and three," he said. "It's just going to gain momentum from there.
"We're seeing a few local businesses now saying, 'Hey, we're going to step up now, we want to see stages four and five go ahead', and the next stages shouldn't be quite as expensive."
Not just commuters from Mosgiel or tourists would benefit from the trail," he said. Hundreds of students would now have an opportunity to bike into Mosgiel to go to school.
"It's a 5km ride on a grade one," he said. "Now, with e-bikes, 15km is a bit over half an hour, 40 minutes ride, so you could easily ride into Dunedin city without working up too much of a sweat on my e-bike."
The Chain Hills Tunnel opened in the 1870s as a single railway line, before being decommissioned.
A 1.55km section from Wingatui through the Chain Hills Tunnel is close to opening. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
Clare Noakes has lots of fond memories of kid's birthday parties in the tunnel - her family has owned the surrounding land for about three decades.
When there was a push to re-open Dunedin's old tunnels years ago, she jumped on board.
"I love biking," she said. "I really appreciate the Central Otago Rail Trail.
"I've done the Wilderness Trail and just to be able to bike in places that you normally wouldn't go that is flat was really cool.
"I said, 'Yes, I own part of the tunnel, let's put a trail through it'."
She agreed for the tunnel to be used as part of the trail for a total of $10 and became a trustee on the Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust.
Biking over into the suburb of Green Island was a hilly slog that could be dangerous with fast-moving traffic and parked cars to dodge, she said. The new trail would mean people could wiz through stunning native bush on the flat.
"I never thought it would happen. There were so many obstacles, but now they've opened part of it and maybe money for the rest of it, it will be amazing."
The first part of the trail is due to open early next month, while the government-backed stages should be wheels down in 2027.
Upston did not rule out further funding, but said the priority had to get the next few stages under their belt first.
Work is underway to prepare the Chain Hills Tunnel to reopen. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
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