Waikareao Estuary pathway on Takitimu Dr, Tauranga, to close for five weeks for storm repairs

The Waikareao Estuary walkway on the Takitimu Drive side will be closed for the next five weeks. File photo/George Novak

Work to permanently repair storm damage to the Waikareao Estuary pathway will start on Monday, the NZ Transport Agency says.

The Takitimu Drive (State Highway 2) side of the pathway was damaged during a storm and king tide that hit Tauranga on January 5.

The agency's Bay of Plenty journey manager Nigal D'Ath said temporary repairs after the storm kept the path open to the public, but it will be closed for the next phase of work, expected to take about five weeks.

The work involved reinforcing the rock armouring on the seawall and repairs to the undermined path and the bridge supports.

"We aim to create a smooth, uniform surface over the 1.7km of the affected pathway, which is between the Mobil Station near Chapel Street and where the path leaves the highway and heads into the open space park near Waihi Road."

D'Ath said work would happen in off-peak hours between 9am and 4pm.

The eastbound shoulder of State Highway 2 will be closed for the duration, while the neighbouring lane will be closed at times.

The speed limit will be temporarily dropped to 60km/h for eastbound traffic when the lane was closed.

While the path is close pedestrians and cyclists should use the Cameron Rd side of the highway, crossing at 11th Avenue or under the Chapel Street Viaduct.