People who travel between Tauranga and Rotorua via State Highway 36 are being warned to prepare for an urgent overnight road closure.
Crews working in the Mangorewa Gorge found a collapsed stormwater culvert under the highway near the recent underslip work.
A NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi spokesperson said the culvert ran under the full width of the road and urgently needed to be replaced.
“NZTA advises, for both the public and site crew safety, the road will be closed overnight next Monday so it can be replaced.
“While we have the opportunity, and to provide greater resilience, the culvert will be upgraded with a new 450-diameter pipe.”
