A grader will be among the "traffic" on the Otago Central Rail Trail this month.
A major upgrade of the Middlemarch-Hyde section is under way.
Trail trustee John Gibson said the $200,000 upgrade should be completed by the end of this month.
"The surface is a bit rough in places, so we're upgrading it, and some of the culverts will be replaced as well," he said.
Sections of trail in other areas had already been resurfaced.
The 27.5km Middlemarch-Hyde section was showing some "wear and tear".
"The feedback we've been getting from the public is that it needed some work. The [rail trail] operators' group has also been fielding some criticism about this section."
The project is being funded by the trail trust.
"We want a smoother surface on it, and no - we're not considering sealing it."
The trail season was getting longer every year, with the busiest time from September through to March-April, Mr Gibson said.
The Hyde-Waipiata section was the next one to be upgraded.
