Government Considers Covering Tanner Street, but Engineering Risks Remain
The government is considering proposals to cover Tanner Street as part of efforts to transform the area, but officials say serious engineering challenges—particularly flooding and drainage risks—must be resolved before any such project can move forward.
The issue was raised during a public consultation on the redevelopment of St. John’s, where officials said concepts to cover Tanner Street and convert it into a commercial or pedestrian space have already been discussed at the policy level. However, they cautioned that the street’s history of flooding presents a major obstacle.
Officials explained that Tanner Street functions as a critical drainage corridor during heavy rainfall, and any effort to cover it would require extensive engineering solutions to prevent worsening flood risks in the surrounding areas.
They stressed that while the idea is appealing from an urban design and commercial perspective, climate realities and water management concerns must take precedence to avoid creating long-term infrastructure problems.
The discussion highlighted the tension between ambitious redevelopment concepts and the practical constraints posed by climate resilience and drainage infrastructure in low-lying parts of the capital.
WATCH: Government officials discuss proposals to cover Tanner Street, saying the idea has been explored but faces major engineering and drainage challenges due to flooding risks.
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POV
Covering the drain may improve the appearance of the area, but it does nothing to address the real cause of the flooding. The issue isn’t an open drain; it’s poor water‑level management. When heavy rainfall is expected, the water in Country Pond must be pumped down in a controlled and timely manner. If the pond remains with high water levels, any additional rain will overflow into the drainage system and inevitably lead to flooding.
Before focusing on aesthetics, we should prioritize proper water‑level control. Managing how much water enters the drain is the only effective way to reduce flooding; everything else is secondary.
We must remember that not every solution is about beautification; functionality comes first. Until we manage the volume of water entering the drain, no cosmetic fix will prevent flooding
So many possibilities for that stretch let’s make it happen government.
Covering Tanner St like this is a waste of money….please. Really trying to keep my comment G- rated
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