Dunedin City Council will carry out minor road works in the city centre throughout November to address wear and tear to some of the streetscape.
DCC Project Director Central City Plan Glen Hazelton says the remedial work involves replacing damaged road and footpath pavers in and around George, Albany and St Andrew Streets.
As with any significant construction project, some minor repairs are needed in the first year following its completion and a few issues have been identified that need our attention, Dr Hazelton says.
Starting the night of Sunday, 2 November, contractors will start work to replace pavers at the St Andrew Street and George Street intersection.
Vehicle access will be maintained both day and night, however traffic will be reduced to one lane in St Andrew Street heading from Filleul Street to Great King Street. This is so we can keep more of the on-street parking open and ensure a safe working area for the crew.
Once St Andrew Street is repaired, contractors will then move on to the Golden Block, followed by the New Edinburgh block. These blocks will remain open during the day, with some minor diversions in place. In January, the crew will return to fix some pavers in Knox Row.
The majority of the work will be done overnight and in sections to minimise disruption to businesses and road users.
The repairs to the street pavers are mostly cosmetic and minor, and no underground pipes or infrastructure has been damaged, and fall within the expected defects period.
“These minor repairs to damaged pavers in the Retail Quarter Upgrade area are a normal part of any project of this scale, and will ensure the road continues to be safe for all road users,” Dr Hazelton says.
The work is set to be completed by the end of November and will ensure the award-winning streetscape remains in good condition ahead of the busy summer holiday season.
“The work will also be finished in time for the Santa Parade, so Ōtepoti whānau and friends needn’t worry about missing out on this cherished community event,” Dr Hazelton says.
The Retail Quarter Upgrade, completed last year, resulted in a modern, vibrant and more accessible city centre alongside extensive upgrades to core underground infrastructure.
The upcoming roadworks also provide an opportunity to replace a damaged tree in the New Edinburgh block on George Street.
“The once-in-a-generation revamp of the city centre resulted in a beautiful streetscape that many people are enjoying. Unfortunately, some aren’t being as kind, and we are still having some issues with vandalism of the trees in particular,” Dr Hazelton says.
“We ask that residents be more respectful so others can continue to appreciate the central city area.”
There will be some temporary lane closures and reduced parking in some areas while the roadworks are underway. Intersections will reopen during the day with some traffic management in place.
There will be some construction noise during this period, however our contractors will endeavour to keep this to a minimum.