A sinkhole has opened on Welcome Bay Rd at the Waitao Bridge, prompting traffic detours.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council team lead for road maintenance, Aidan Glynn, confirmed a small tomo (sinkhole) had opened on the road approach to the bridge over the Waitao Stream.

He said a member of the public alerted the council to the hole at about 8.50am on Sunday.

Crews were on site yesterday making repairs.

Glynn said there was “no structural concern”.

The bridge structure was unaffected and fully serviceable but the bridge approach had dropped.

“Temporary closures/diversions are in place on Sunday while repairs are completed.

A small tomo (sinkhole) has opened on the approach to the Welcome Bay Rd bridge over the Waitao Stream. Photo / Cameron Avery

“For safety, please avoid the area, respect traffic management and keep clear of crews and equipment until works are complete.”

Signage and diversions are in place at the Te Puke Highway end of Welcome Bay Rd and near Waikite Rd.

Repairs were expected to be completed on Sunday afternoon, subject to ground and weather conditions.

Glynn said detours would remain until the site was inspected and confirmed safe.

“Drivers should follow onsite instructions and allow extra time.”

He said the focus was on making the site safe and reinstating the pavement.

“Any further cause analysis will be informed by what crews find during repair.”

Western Bay of Plenty Council encourages drivers who see any new defects forming such as sudden depressions, edge breaks, or ponding, to report them via 0800 926 732.

The Waitao area was impacted by flooding during the January 21-22 heavy rain that caused two deadly landslides in Tauranga.

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.