Work will start on a permanent fix for a sinkhole which formed on Oropi Road, Tauranga, in 2019.

The sinkhole, near the Oropi Stream Bridge, was the result of erosion from the stream.

Work to fix the hole will start on Monday, January 20.

A Tauranga City Council spokesperson says it's being undertaken now to take advantage of shorter nights, drier weather and low stream levels.

The repairs are expected to take one week and will involve full and partial road closures.

"During the day traffic will be able to cross the bridge although there may be short periods of restrictions such as a lane closure or stop/go traffic control.

"At night, from 8pm to 6am, Oropi Road will be closed to traffic and pedestrians between Cheyne Road and the Oropi Stream Bridge. A detour will be in place via Oropi Gorge Road; this will be clearly sign-posted.

"Residents may hear construction noise, feel some level of vibration during the night and observe light spill from the floodlights that will be temporarily brought to the site to enable the works to be completed at a time when it will cause the least disruption to motorists."

The works involve the installation of 8m deep steel sheet piles at the Oropi end of the bridge.

This will prevent the stream from undermining the road by washing out embankment fill.

Subsequently, the road surface will be permanently reinstated following the piling."