SH36 through The Lakes set to close while bridge lifted into place

Photo of the bridge ahead of the installation. Photo / Supplied

State Highway 36 through The Lakes will be closed Wednesday night as a new overbridge is lifted into place.

The new bridge is intended to allow people walking and biking between The Lakes and Tauranga Crossing to cross safely.

The 34m long bridge will be lifted into position this week. It has been jointly funded by the NZ Transport Agency and Tauranga City Council and is due to open in May, Tauranga City Council said in a statement.

The state highway will be closed between Lakes Boulevard and Kennedy Rd from 7.30pm Wednesda until 5.30am Thursday. Detours will be sign-posted. If rain and wind are too heavy, the work will be done on Friday instead.

The bridge is due to open mid-May, once finishing work including minor earthworks, landscaping, fencing and installation of street furniture is completed.

This work follows the installation of the Wharepaewaka overbridge built last year over SH29 Takitimu Drive, connecting Bethlehem and Gate Pā.

Tauranga City Council acting general manager of infrastructure Martin Parkes said in the statement the new bridge was a significant addition to Tauranga's transport network.

"It's a stunning bridge in this fast-growing part of our city. It creates a safe connection for walkers and people on bikes between parts of the city that were previously disconnected."