Road users travelling between Tauranga and Rotorua should plan ahead for a one-night closure of State Highway 36 (SH36) at Hauraki Stream Bridge, 1km north of Hamurana, while crews complete a big construction milestone on the project.

The closure is needed so 4 large precast bridge beams, each 16m long, can be lifted into place by crane. These beams will help support the deck of the new bridge and mark a visible step forward in replacing the existing culvert with a stronger, wider and safer structure.

The road will be closed from 7pm on Monday 14 September and reopened at 6am on Tuesday 15 September. If weather or site conditions mean the lift cannot go ahead as planned, the work will move to the next appropriate night.

SH36 will be fully closed between 132 and 68 Tauranga Direct Road for one night. There will be no through-access during the closure, so road users will need to use the signed detours (see map) and allow extra travel time.

Light vehicles can use the local detour via Jackson Road and Central Road to rejoin SH36. Please take care, drive to the conditions and be aware of the one-lane bridge on the detour route near SH36 Hamurana Road.

Large and heavy vehicles must use the state highway detour via SH29, SH2, SH33, SH30 and SH5. Oversize vehicles must continue to use the Western Bay of Plenty detour already required.

The beams are large structural components that need to be lifted safely over the state highway corridor using a large crane. Closing the road gives crews the space they need to carry out the lift and keeps road users well clear of the work area. Crews expect the beam lift work to take around 8 hours.

There will be some noise during the night, mainly from trucks and the crane operating. There will be no excavation, saw cutting or hydro excavation, so overall noise levels are expected to be manageable.

The new modern SH36 Hauraki Stream Bridge will support a safer, stronger and more resilient connection between Tauranga and Rotorua.

Before travelling, check current traffic conditions, allow extra time, follow the detour signs and drive with care around temporary traffic management.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks road users, residents and businesses for their patience while this important work is completed.

SH36 Hauraki Stream Bridge replacement (external link)