The New Zealand Transport Agency is hoping to open State Highway 36 from Tauranga to Rotorua to one lane on Tuesday afternoon.

The section of highway on the Tauranga Direct Road was closed on Thursday last week due to a slip in the Mangorewa Gorge.

A slip in heavy rain last Thursday closed a section of the Tauranga-Direct Road.

NZTA plans to reopen one lane on April 22, subject to the progress of the slip clean-up.

About 300mm of rain fell in the area between when the road closed on Thursday and Sunday making clean-up progress challenging.

Motorists are advised to continue using alternate highway routes SH29, SH2 and SH33 or SH29, SH28 and SH5 if planning to travel between Tauranga and Rotorua.

An update on whether a single lane will open at midday is expected by mid-morning tomorrow (Tuesday). Variable Message Signs are being posted to advise motorists of the closure and the detours in place.

The Transport Agency is encouraging drivers to take care this Easter/Anzac holidays, and where there are road conditions to keep up to date with the latest information via the 0800 4 HIGHWAYS freephone number or visit the website to find out the latest on our highway conditions.