The City Streets Upgrade is once again moving forward, meaning Esk Street is now open to pedestrians only.

COVID-19 restrictions temporarily delayed the start of works in Esk St but contractor Downer has returned to the site to set up and begin stage one of the development that will transform Invercargill’s City Centre into a vibrant, inviting place.

Invercargill City Council Group Manager Infrastructure Erin Moogan said contractors were busy mobilising the site this week. Downer have developed management plans so they can operate safely at Alert Level 3.

“They’re setting up the fencing and cones to close off the street over the first couple of days,” she said.

Don St was also seeing renewed activity, with SouthRoads crews finishing off work on the northern footpath.

Three Waters renewals are the first physical works to happen in Esk St, which are already underway.

Some of the specialist sub trades requiring resources out of Auckland, which is still in Level 4, may need to begin later than planned due to travel restrictions and materials being temporarily unavailable. However, Downer is confident this can happen without causing too much of a disruption, Ms Moogan said.

People will still be able to walk down Esk St even though it is closed to traffic, she said.

There were plenty of off-street parking options, such as the City Centre Car Park in Leven St, the H&J Smith Car Park in Esk St, or even some of the metered car parks in surrounding streets.

“Most are within a two-minute walk of Esk and Don Streets, and some even offer free parking options,” she said.

“This is such an exciting time and the culmination of many months of work and planning. Once we reach Level 2 we hope people take advantage of being able to safely move about the City Centre and to support these businesses while these transformations are taking place.”

A map detailing parking in the City Centre is available on the City Streets Upgrade website at citystreetsupgrade.co.nz.