As the enabling works for the Bridge to Better project draw to a close and contractors move out of Bridge Street East, we’re taking stock of what has been completed over the past few months.

Since work began in mid-October, the focus has been on underground services and getting the street ready for the major upgrade starting in February 2026. Crews have been carrying out works that will make the main construction process smoother and less disruptive.

Nelson City Council’s Executive Director Delivery Alec Louverdis says with the works in the eastern block wrapping up last week two weeks ahead of schedule, the project is in a good position heading into next year.

“We want to extend a big thankyou to everyone in and around Bridge Street for their extreme patience over the past few months. It’s been a very busy period with deep trenching, drilling and service relocations, and we appreciate how understanding people have been while crews have been on site. Finishing the eastern works ahead of schedule has been a real team effort, and the cooperation from businesses and the wider community has played a big part in that.

“This is a significant upgrade for the city, and while we’re only at the beginning, doing this early work now puts us in a much stronger position heading into the main build. We know the disruption isn’t always easy, but the outcome will be worth it, and we’re confident the effort now will help the main construction run more smoothly next year.”

On Bridge Street East, the first section of trenching for the new underground power cables was completed and backfilled, and two new manholes were installed to support the heritage brick-lined sewer beneath the street. The sewer will be relined early next year to extend its life and prepare it for future stormwater use. Completing this work now reduces the amount of heavy digging needed later and has helped keep access open to shops and cafés.

Installing a new underground power cable has been a key part of the enabling works. Directional drilling progressed from Collingwood Street towards Trafalgar Street, including a complex piece of work carried out beneath the Trafalgar/Bridge Street intersection in order to keep it open while the works were carried out. With the eastern ducting finished, crews are continuing west between Trafalgar and Rutherford Streets. Getting this cable in early ensures there is enough power capacity before the older lines are removed in 2026.

The laneways have also seen steady progress. Alma Street and Montgomery Square laneways were excavated, the existing infrastructure upgraded, and concreted and prepared for new kerbs and footpaths. Both laneways will be one-way only when they reopen on 12 December, Alma Street laneway entry only from Bridge Street, and Montgomery Square laneway exit only.

At the Halifax/Rutherford Street intersection, crews relocated the watermain, installed new pipes and prepared for manhole installation. This deep excavation and sheet-piling work strengthens the three-waters network and sets the area up for future wastewater improvements. Work here will pause from 19 December, and restart in the week of 12 January 2026.

By 12 December, crews will have completed their remaining work on Bridge Street West and both laneways, clearing the street ahead of the holiday period. Work on the main Bridge to Better project will begin in February 2026, starting back at the western end of the street, where the full upgrade will get underway.