Construction has begun on the Gawler Place upgrade which will create a high-quality street connecting to Adelaide's premier shopping destination, Rundle Mall.
Gawler Place is one of the busiest streets in Adelaide with around 25,000 people moving between Grenfell Street and North Terrace every day.
It connects city workers, students, visitors, tourists, delivery and private vehicles and taxis to Rundle Mall, North Terrace, the ANZAC Memorial Walk on Kintore Avenue, the Riverbank, car parks and public transport.
On completion, Gawler Place will be a vibrant, green and people-focused street and provide a high-quality retail experience where people shop, visit and spend time.
It will feature new footpath and road surfaces, lighting, seating and spaces for socialising. Green elements such as trees, understory planting and climbers will ensure Gawler Place is an attractive and inviting place to be.
Vehicle access, on-street accessible parking and loading spaces for deliveries to the street and Rundle Mall will be maintained.
Lord Mayor of Adelaide Sandy Verschoor said that she was excited to see the project begin.
"Gawler Place is one of the city's busiest streets, with more than 16,000 people using the southern section and more than 9,500 using the northern section each day. It is a key link from Grenfell Street, as well as being an important link to the cultural and university precinct of North Terrace and to the Riverbank.
"It is a street that is vital to the success of our premier retail strip and it's important that we upgrade it to a high standard, so it attracts shoppers and high-quality retailers to Rundle Mall and North Terrace.
"The upgrade will support and encourage business growth and investment including attracting international retailers, and will provide high quality spaces for retail, shopping and outdoor dining.
"The Gawler Place upgrade will create an attractive, safe and welcoming pedestrian-friendly extension of Rundle Mall. Shade and plants will encourage people to linger and enjoy the space.
"I look forward to seeing the street transformed into an exciting, attractive and people-focused area."
Evan Brumby, property manager of Rundle Mall Plaza, said, "Gawler Place plays an important role linking people to the heart of the Rundle Mall precinct and we're excited to see work start on the upgrade, which will improve the street's accessibility and aesthetics.
"The revitalised street will complement Rundle Mall Plaza's recent redevelopment and help to attract more city workers, students and tourists to the Rundle Mall precinct generally. This will no doubt have flow on benefits for retailers once the work is complete."
Construction activities will be delivered progressively at various locations in Gawler Place between North Terrace and Grenfell Street. The timing of works may vary and will take place during the day and/or night, and speed and lane restrictions will be in place.
While construction is underway, Gawler Place will continue to function as a place where people shop, trade, work, walk, cycle and make deliveries and pickups. Access along footpaths at shopfronts on both sides of Gawler Place will be maintained during business hours and access in and out of Gawler Place will be maintained at all times.
The upgrade is expected to be completed by December 2019. More details about the upgrade can be found at cityofadelaide.com.au/gawler-place.
