The streetscape work is on the eastern footpath between Market and Smith streets.

"It's basically removing the old footpath and replacing it with a brand new footpath," said Wollongong City Council's economic development manager Mark Grimson.

"So the upgrade will improve the safety, widen the footpath and make it more accessible. Currently the majority of that footpath is black asphalt so this will be upgraded to the high standard grey granite stone paving."

Mr Grimson said the paving will resemble that in the upper section of the refurbished mall.

The council is also working closely with GPT on Keira Street to ensure the section of footpath is "aligned and integrated" with the future appearance of the path between Crown and Market streets.

Mr Grimson said the upgrade is part of the council's continued investment in the CBD.

"It builds on the work we're doing in the Crown Street mall refurbishment as well as the Crown Street and city facade project," he said.

"It's all about trying to lift and enhance the overall amenity of our city centre and in turn encourage further investment."

He said footpath upgrades would assist in council's push to have more people living in the CBD, by improving the "walkability" of the city.

A council spokeswoman said the upgrade should to take around six weeks to complete, depending on when Telstra's contractors can adjust their pits.

Unlike the eastern section of Keira Street, closed while a tunnel is constructed under the road, the spokeswoman said access would be maintained.

"The footpath and access to businesses will be maintained for most of the time with only temporary short-term closures in place as work requires," she said.

"Paving work will progress in stages to minimise impacts on businesses with pedestrians guided around worksites.

"Customers will be able to continue to access the businesses with only minor impacts from the construction activities."

Parking and loading zones on the street's eastern side of the street will not be available for short periods.

During the first week, works will be undertaken between 6pm and 3am to remove the existing kerb and gutter.

The remainder will be during business hours.