Temporary surfacing and ramps would be used to accommodate the December 3 parade, five days ahead of the revamped block reopening to vehicles permanently, a Dunedin City Council spokesman said.
The malls block, between St Andrew and Hanover Sts, is the third of four George St blocks involved in an upgrade of the retail area. The whole project is due to be completed in April next year.
Much of it will be done by mid-December.
Amid the replacement of pipes, roadworks and paving, Christmas parade organisers have been assured they will be able to use George St as the route for the event on December 3.
The Santa parade is Otago’s largest free public event, and attracts a variety of floats, vehicles, bands and big crowds.
"There will be enough room for all the floats," Santa Parade Trust chairman John Marsh said.
"We are regularly checking for any issues."
The parade route runs from the Night ’n Day shop at the intersection of Regent Rd and George St in north Dunedin, continues along George St into the central city, through the Octagon and finishes in Moray Pl beside First Church.
Work sites for the upgrade of the retail area, including George St, are due to be scaled down on December 8 in an effort to facilitate Christmas shopping. Major work in the malls block is on track to be completed by then.
Some minor finishing touches would continue in all areas until the entire project came to an end, the council spokesman said.
"We’re working hard to find a balance between completing the project as quickly as possible and ensuring people can move around town as conveniently as possible during the Christmas period," he said.
"The project team has also invested in some additional Christmas lights for George St, and we’ll be bringing in some carolers to share some additional Christmas cheer with shoppers."
