What a grate idea – new drains to help reduce water pooling in main street

New drains will be installed in Baylis Street to help reduce large puddles forming on the footpaths during heavy rain events.

Starting today, drainage improvement works will be undertaken on the four centre-of-block pedestrian crossings in the main street.

The works are part of an overall improvement program being carried out in Baylis Street.

“Installing the drains will fix a design oversight from when the main street upgrade was completed in the early 2000s,” Manager Project Operations Bruce Sheridan said.

“The approaches to the pedestrian crossings are a lower-lying area. During heavy rain events the water runs off the raised crossings and pools on the footpaths. Installation of new drains on the east and west sides of the crossings will rectify this issue by giving the water a chance to drain away properly.”

New iron-grated drains will be installed to redirect the surface water into the existing stormwater network.

Works will be completed one block at a time. Crews will start in the northern block, Morrow to Tompson streets, and move south along the length of Baylis Street.

One crossing will take about 10 days to complete, with works undertaken between the hours of 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (subject to works and weather conditions). If works are completed ahead of this schedule crews will move on to the next block.

To allow for a safe work site, the crossing and parts of the footpaths on the approach to the crossing will be closed to pedestrians. A small number of parking spaces near the crossings will also be closed to allow safe movements in and out of the work site.

Due to the nature of the works, some noise will be generated.

Temporary fencing will be installed around the work site for the safety of pedestrians and workers.

Baylis Street business owners have been notified of the works and regular updates will be provided via social media for the duration of the works.

Council recognises Baylis Street’s high profile and traffic volumes within the central business district and will endeavour to minimise disruptions to residents and business owners as much as possible throughout the works.

“Council has received many customer service requests to fix this problem, so we are pleased to be delivering a solution,” Mr Sheridan said.

“We thank the community for their patience as we work through these works.”

The drainage works will cost about $100,000 and is part of an overall improvement program for Baylis Street.

Already this year street furniture in the main street has been sanded and varnished, new recycling bins have been installed and the street bollards given a fresh coat of paint.

Information on the drainage project and any updates can be found via Council’s Facebook page City of Wagga Wagga or at www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/city-of-wagga-wagga/business/projects/current-projects/baylis-street-drainage-improvements