Two new manholes have now been installed in Bridge Street, giving easy access to the historic brick-lined sewer that runs beneath the street, and setting up the structure so it can begin its new life as a stormwater main.

Enabling works for the Bridge to Better project began this spring, and are currently taking place on Rutherford Street, at the Paru Paru Road and Halifax Street intersection, and at the eastern end of Bridge Street. The project will start officially in February 2026, and over the following two years, ageing water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure will be upgraded so it can support more inner-city living and Bridge Street redesigned to create a greener, more people-friendly space in the heart of Nelson.

Over the past few weeks, Isaac Construction crews have been busy inspecting, measuring and carefully cleaning the inside of the heritage sewer under the eastern block of Bridge Street to confirm its condition and size. The manholes have been constructed so a protective liner can be made and placed inside the sewer pipe later in the project. Working with a pipe of this age has required extra care and precision to ensure the pipe’s brickwork is preserved.

Trenching and backfilling for new underground power ducting has started, and crews have resurfaced sections of the street where historic kerb stones have been lifted for reuse. Although the street remains closed, an additional pedestrian crossing has been added near Gravity Cycles.

The work in Alma Lane and the laneway off Montgomery Carpark has continued to take shape, with all essential services now in place and kerbing and footpath preparation advanced. These areas are beginning to hint at how these laneways will look and work with Bridge Street once complete.

Elsewhere, new sections of sewer and water main have been installed along Rutherford Street, and tunnelling has continued beneath the Halifax and Rutherford intersection to allow contractors to install the new pipes without the need for a full road closure. Work in this area continues.

From early November, work in Bridge Street will extend westward as installation of the new underground power cable continues along the street to the section between Rutherford and Trafalgar Streets, and the Haven Road extension off Bridge Street. This will mean an eastbound lane closure, with traffic operating one way towards Rutherford Street. Bridge Street east remains closed.

Pedestrian access to all shops and cafés will remain open throughout the work, and we encourage everyone to keep supporting Bridge Street businesses.