From Tuesday, a section of Keira Street closes for three months to prepare the GPT project for the Christmas rush.
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To allow completion of the final stages of the GPT Wollongong Central shopping centre, the section of Keira Street between Crown and Market streets will be closed to traffic from July 1 to September 30.
Pedestrian access will be maintained across Keira Street.
The closure will allow the completion of work, in particular the provision of shopfront and outdoor dining along Keira Street.
The aim is to have the works completed and the street - and the shopping centre - open ahead of the busy Christmas retail period.
GPT Group's development manager Steven Turner was pleased that the centre was nearing completion.
"We are grateful for the community's support and patience over the past three years of construction," Mr Turner said.
"We look forward to unveiling a new city experience with the opening of the new $200-million Wollongong Central," he said.
"Keira Street will complete the transformation of the Wollongong CBD, which is developing an 18-hour day, with a range of retail and dining options catering for everything from breakfast to late night dining and entertainment, seven days a week."
The closure was assessed and approved by Roads and Maritime Services.
"Roads and Maritime has approved the Keira Street closure and is working with council, bus operators and GPT to minimise disruption to the city," said RMS spokesman Adam Berry.
A number of buses that travel along Keira Street will have their routes changed for the three-month closure.
Buses travelling north and south will skirt around the CBD via Smith and Kembla streets.
Buses travelling west will use that same route, with the addition of a small section of travel on Keira and Campbell streets.
The bus stops on Burelli Street will be moved to Kembla Street between Burelli and Crown streets.
Those bus stops in the block immediately north of the closed section of Keira Street will be moved to the corner of Keira and Smith streets.
There will be no change to timetables due to the closure of Keira Street.
GPT's Wollongong Central also plans to provide bus passengers with a free 10-minute CBD loop shuttle bus service during these works.