Motorists travelling between Tauranga and Rotorua will face an overnight closure of State Highway 36 this month.

A stretch of the highway will be closed from 7pm on September 14 until 6am the following day while four 16m-long precast bridge beams are lifted into place as part of the replacement of the Hauraki Stream Bridge near Hamurana.

The beams would form part of the deck of the new bridge being built to replace the existing culvert crossing, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said.

The agency said the installation was a key part of the project and would help create a stronger, wider and safer structure.

The closure would affect SH36 between 68 and 132 Tauranga Direct Rd, with no through-access available during the work.

NZTA said all motorists will be required to follow signed detours and allow extra travel time.

A map showing where the closure is and the detour route. Image / NZTA

Light vehicles would be directed via Jackson Rd and Central Rd to rejoin SH36, while heavy vehicles must use a longer state highway detour via SH29, SH2, SH33, SH30 and SH5. Oversize vehicles would continue to use the existing Western Bay of Plenty detour route.

NZTA said the overnight closure was necessary to safely position the large structural beams using a crane over the state highway corridor.

The beam-lifting operation is expected to take about eight hours.

Residents may notice some noise from trucks and crane operations during the night, although NZTA said no excavation, saw cutting or hydro excavation work was planned, which should help keep noise levels manageable.