In conjunction with the light rail works, the City of Sydney pedestrianised sections of George Street between Hunter and Bathurst Streets, with the intention of making George Street "Sydney's premier retail and pedestrian street". The state government announced it would support the plan. Light rail construction commenced in October 2015 resulting in the closure of George Street. The light rail through George Street opened on 14 December 2019. However, the southbound lane between Bathurst Street and Campbell Street was never reopened and remained closed to traffic.