A much-needed upgrade to Totara Street is likely to cause major traffic delays in the surrounding area.

Residents are being asked to allow extra time to travel, or to consider working from home if possible.

Weather permitting, road rebuilding work will begin at 8pm on Friday, February 9, and should be complete by 6am Wednesday, February 14, with contractors working around the clock to finish as quickly as possible.

The northbound lane (heading toward the Mount) of Totara Street between Hewletts Road and Hull Road will be closed and detours will be in place via Hewletts Road, Maunganui Road, and Hull Road.

To help accommodate the extra volume of traffic, vehicles can use the eastbound Hewletts Road bus lane (going toward Maunganui Road), says a statement from Tauranga City Council.

Major delays expected during one-lane Totara Street closure from Friday, 9 February. Photo supplied.

"Totara Street is a vital and heavily used road for local industry, the port, commuters, and visitors.

"Council acknowledges the delays will be frustrating for people travelling though the affected area and appreciate your patience.

"The upgrade has been held off for several years while other works in the area were underway but cannot be delayed any longer as areas of this road have reached the end of life.

"Rebuilding will improve the structural integrity and safety of the road for the next forty years and doing it this way rather than resealing means it will take just four days instead of six weeks.

"With the Bayfair to Baypark Link and Cameron Road Stage 1 projects now complete, the Totara Street upgrade is another step toward an improved, safer, and more reliable transport network for Tauranga."