newy.com.au – The first section of a $2.6 million shared path has opened between Naru Street and Lake Macquarie Airport at Pelican, providing an alternative to walking or cycling near the Pacific Highway.

The full 480-metre Ron Brown Way extension will eventually link Naru Street and Soldiers Road. The remaining 300-metre section is still being designed and will run from the southern side of Soldiers Road to the airport, where it will connect with the newly opened path.

The second stage will also include road intersection upgrades, although a timetable for construction has not been announced.

The Australian Government provided $1.3 million towards the project through its Active Transport Fund. Lake Macquarie City Council and the NSW Government are funding the balance, with the state contribution coming from the Get NSW Active program.

Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said the project would provide safer access for pedestrians and cyclists as traffic volumes increased along the Pacific Highway. It would also improve connections to bus stops and road crossing points.

The path was named after local resident Ron Brown, who spent years pressing for a safer route between Pelican, Marks Point and Belmont.

“After years of seeing kids having to walk or ride along the highway to get to Marks Point and Belmont after reaching the end of Soldiers Road, he became very active in pushing for this shared path,” Cr Shultz said.

Mr Brown’s widow, Marilyn, said he had used sporting events, shopping centres and community gatherings to campaign for the project.

“We’re extremely proud. He would be very humbled by the honour of naming the shared pathway after him. He would not have expected it but would have been chuffed,” she said.

Federal Shortland MP Pat Conroy described Mr Brown as a passionate community advocate whose legacy would continue through the path. Swansea MP Yasmin Catley said the project responded to long-standing safety concerns raised by residents.

Once both stages are finished, the path will form part of Lake Macquarie’s existing 136-kilometre shared-path network.