The brick-lined stormwater – sewer

Beneath Bridge Street, between Trafalgar and Collingwood Streets, runs a brick-lined sewer and stormwater pipe built in the early 1870s.

Part of the city's early drainage system, the pipe was constructed using locally made bricks and is about 1.5 metres wide. The structure is recognised by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga for its historic and technological significance.

To protect and preserve the pipe, it has been incorporated into the plans for the infrastructure works as an upgraded stormwater pipe, and as such, a UV-cured liner will be installed inside the pipe. This will harden like concrete and strengthen and support the pipe, while keeping the original bricks in place.

In the pre-project works, taking place between October – December 2025, manholes are being installed in advance so the installation of the liner, set for 2027, can happen quickly, minimising further disruption. As the pipe runs directly under the middle of the street, this work requires a full road closure.

Historic kerbstones

Bridge Street’s granite kerbstones, laid in the 1860s and 1870s, were hand-shaped, primarily from boulders taken from the Boulder Bank, and remain in the street today.

The stones are archaeologically and historically significant as some of the earliest surviving examples of Nelson’s civic infrastructure.

While the new street design removes raised kerbs, the historic kerbstones are being carefully lifted, cleaned and reset into the new design as flat delineator bands, which help to visually separate the pedestrian pathway from the carriageway.

Heritage verandah posts

The heritage verandah posts along Bridge Street will be retained in their current locations to preserve their historic value.

Temporary supports may be installed during construction to maintain the stability of the verandahs, but these will be removed once the footpath works are complete. Where necessary, the concrete footings of the posts will be strengthened to ensure their long-term durability.