Motorists are being warned ahead of Tuesday’s closure of Hunter Street between Auckland and Merewether streets as workers begin construction of the Civic tram stop.

The closure will come at the same time as the reopening of Worth Place after completion of “one of the most complex sections” of the project.

Workers were busy on Sunday preparing Worth Place to be reopened for the first time in months, providing access between Honeysuckle Drive and Hunter Street.

Revitalising Newcastle program director Michael Cassel admitted Worth Place was a challenge for construction crews given the complexity of underground services.

“Construction at Worth Place was always going to be a challenge, with a number of services of varying types, sizes, ages and conditions criss-crossing just beneath the ground next to trees and their root systems,” Mr Cassel said.

“In order to work in and around the existing underground services without breaking them, high pressure hoses were used to remove tree roots and earth before laying new drainage and installing infrastructure required for the light rail. 

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“We also replaced and realigned a number of services in the area, including gas, water, electricity and 70 metres of telecommunications cables.”

Mr Cassel said the Civic section of Hunter Street would close for at least two months as work begins on the tram stop, road resurfacing and footpath upgrades.

He said the Worth Place intersection would close again “in coming months” for final work.