Trail charitable trust chairman Rod Peirce said SouthRoads staff started building the 15km section from Beaumont to Evans Flat on Monday, , while other contractors worked to install bridges between Evans Flat and Lawrence.
Construction of the cycle trail at Beaumont began at the SH8 Clutha River bridge, across the road from the Beaumont Millennium Track.
Mr Peirce said contractors began scraping off topsoil, laying base gravel and putting culverts in place.
"From the bridge to Weardale St we're utilising the road reserve, and then carrying on through the [Beaumont] township, with most of this trail section on private property."
The 73km trail, which will cost an estimated $5.5 million, was the first in Central Otago to receive funding under the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, getting $3.8 million from the Government. A 20km section is planned in the Clutha district, between Beaumont and Lawrence; the remaining 53km will be in Central Otago, from Lake Roxburgh to Beaumont.
The trail section near the Roxburgh Bridge is nearing completion.
Mr Peirce said the 8km section from Evans Flat to Lawrence followed the old railway line from Lawrence to Milton, and track construction was almost complete.
Fencing in this area was done by Lawrence-Tuapeka area residents as a fundraiser for the Tuapeka Aquatic Centre - a project which Mr Peirce said the trust was happy to support.
The Clutha District Council is running workshops designed to help facilitate ideas and identify opportunities for the community arising from the Clutha Gold Trail.
The first workshop was held in November last year, with the fourth due to be held in Lawrence on July 31.
