"Work will be off-road until the end of April when traffic in the area surrounding the pipeline construction will start experiencing impacts," a council spokesperson said.
"From April 29 to June 2020, traffic at the eastern end of Welcome Bay Rd will be reduced to one lane for a 500-metre section, while work to construct the first section of the Waiāri trunk main pipeline is undertaken," the spokesperson said.
"We understand this work will impact on an area of the city where traffic is already under pressure and that there is some overlap with the kiwifruit picking season.
"We have done our best to balance time constraints on construction work with the needs of the community and industry in the area and those of the wider community."
Stop/Go traffic signals on Welcome Bay Rd will be operational 24 hours, seven days a week, and apply to a 500m section that will move as the construction work progresses.
Traffic is expected to be slower at peak times and motorists should anticipate delays.
Traffic on the Te Puke Highway will be impacted by a reduced speed limit when passing the works, to 50km/h for a 200-300 metre section of the road.
The Waiāri Water Supply Scheme includes the development of a new water abstract facility at the Waiāri Stream, a water treatment plant at 315 No 1 Rd in Te Puke, and an underground water pipeline from the plant to Poplar Lane and the Eastern Reservoirs.
Expressions of interest are being sought in relation to further elements to the pipeline construction and tender invitations went out earlier this month and contracts will be awarded in winter this year.
Construction activities began in March last year and expected to be completed in 2021.
