Future-proof city

Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said while the 15-month project may inconvenience some people, the “works are vital and will benefit the community for years to come”.
The upgrade is designed to accommodate a once-in-100-year flood event by increasing drainage capacity under the road surfaces of North Terrace, The Appian Way and The Mall.
The current stormwater network only has capacity for a once-in-five-year flood event, with intense rainfall causing high-risk flooding along the roads, pavements and adjoining properties.
Mayor El-Hayek said the existing stormwater network would not meet the future needs of the City and the upgrade would see a 20-fold increase on capacity.
Work will begin this month and last around 15 months. It will be carried out in stages to minimise impact on the community but will require road closures for a few months at a time, with diversions in place.
“I fully understand there will be some people inconvenienced by the closures, but we will do our best to ensure the project is completed on time,” Mayor El-Hayek said.
Work will be carried out from Monday to Friday from 7am-5pm and some Saturdays between 8am and 4pm. Night works may be required at times between 8pm and 5am.
During most of Stage 1 (late January to July 2024), North Terrace will be closed from the West Terrace underpass to the junction of the Appian Way.
For more information and to see a map of the project, visit cb.city/DrainageUpgrade.