Bigger will be better, council hopes

Much larger stormwater pipes being laid in St Andrew St, central Dunedin, are expected to reduce the risk of surface flooding in the area.

The new pipe width is 1350cm, replacing the previous width of 375cm.

A Dunedin City Council spokesman said the new pipes would boost the stormwater capacity of infrastructure in the area dramatically.

It had historically been an area prone to flooding.

"The stormwater inlet capacity in the hill catchments which flow into St Andrew St is also being increased, which will reduce the risk of surface flooding on the flat even further," he said.

The council was also retaining most of the brick barrel pipes in St Andrew St, which was helpful for sustainability, heritage and cost.

Work in the street resulted in the Farmers block of George St being closed to traffic this week. a It is expected to reopen at the end of October.

Filleul St is down to one lane between St Andrew St and Moray Pl.

This was to allow for connection of the two ends of new stormwater pipes in St Andrew St across George St and for connection of new stormwater pipes at the intersection of St Andrew and Filleul Sts, the council said.

The St Andrew St pipes would be the largest installed in an upgrade of the retail area.

grant.miller@odt.co.nz