Victoria Square in central Christchurch is expected to reopen in three months.

Crews revamping Christchurch's Victoria Square are working through the Christmas break to meet a March deadline.

The popular central city green space closed in February for a $6 million restoration programme for earthquake damage. The work is being managed by Crown rebuild company Ōtākaro Limited.

The section of Colombo St next to the square returned to two-way traffic for the holiday period on December 22 but will go back to one-way northbound on January 8 as work ramps up again.

GEORGE HEARD/STUFF The main lawn is yet to be planted.

One of the major restorations has been to the 38-tonne Bowker Fountain, which was lifted from its site and repaired. The mechanics of the fountain were replaced and old pool rebuilt before the fountain was lifted back into place.

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Much of the work done so far is not visible, such as new drainage, electrics and irrigation. These will help extend the life of the square.

GEORGE HEARD/STUFF The restoration is expected to cost $6 million.

Two of the three planned whāriki (woven mats of welcome) have been completed.

The Pou was reinstated, allowing some paths and lawns in the park to be completed before Christmas. The paths have been widened to make the square more accessible. Broken garden beds and walls have been replaced.

The Queen Victoria and Captain James Cook statues have been strengthened. A new punt stop has been built on the Avon River. The amphitheatre is finished and open to the public.

GEORGE HEARD/STUFF Bowker Fountain has been restored with new mechanical parts and a repaired pool.

Workers still have a lot of paving work left, as well as restoring the grass to the main lawn area and planting the garden beds.

Upgrades to the streets around the square are being built simultaneously as part of the controversial An Accessible City inner city transport plan. Colombo St will return to one-way traffic on January 8, which is expected to stay in place until April.

Armagh St will remain one-way eastbound until the square reopens in March.

An artist's impression of the proposed redesign of Victoria Square, looking from the Town Hall.

JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF Victoria Square repair work in June.