Installation of the new cycleway bridge on the Wairoa Bridge is progressing.

Big trucks and cranes have been spotted by the bridge this morning, along with the steel support structures ready to go onto the bridge.

The cycleway extension is one of the final stages of the Omokoroa to Tauranga Cycleway. NZTA Bay of Plenty system manager, Rob Campbell, says seven night-time closures have been planned from February to April. The first one was planned for Friday, February 14.

'The works will be carried out overnight to minimise disruption to motorists.

'This is a significant closure and we encourage people to plan ahead, allow extra time, or consider delaying unnecessary travel where possible.”

Western Bay of Plenty Council's group manager infrastructure services Gary Allis says contractor Brian Perry Civil needs to install seven sections of decking for the cycleway while the closures are in effect.

'Each section includes 25m of deck truss and one counterweight pipe, which require large cranes to be positioned on the bridge to lift the sections into place.

'This is an exciting milestone for the cycleway extension, and for the wider Omokoroa to Tauranga Cycleway.

'From here, people will start to get a real sense of what the completed project will look like.”

The Omokoroa to Tauranga Cycle Trail has a budget of $13.02million. This is funded by a number of partners including the $8.05million from New Zealand Transport Agency, TECT $1.0million; Tauranga City Council $1.0m; New Zealand Community Trust $1.0m and Western Bay of Plenty District Council $1.81m.