Work is underway to revitalise the Tauranga city centre so it becomes a place where people from near and far want to visit, learn, live, work and play.

"As part of these plans, we will be upgrading the streetscape on Elizabeth Street East and improving the lookout from Tunks Reserve," says a Tauranga City Council spokesperson, "providing spaces where the connection to Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour can be enjoyed in the shade or sun."

To improve access from Elizabeth Street to The Strand Extension, council contractors will be replacing the current stairs with a new walkway featuring a cycle runnel which will provide a safer pathway for pedestrians and cyclists.

What's a runnel, you ask? It's a somewhat weird name for a straight and usually grooved guide next to a stairway so people can go up and down without having to lift and carry their bikes. You just guide your bike wheels into the groove and push it up or squeeze the brakes and walk it down.

Example of a cycle runnel on a stairway. Photo: Supplied.

In time, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to travel through the recently installed rail underpass on The Strand Extension, which will link with a new boardwalk into the city centre.

Over the next week, contractors will be setting up on site and installing hoardings to temporarily close the stairs linking Elizabeth Street to The Strand Extension.

People in the area can expect to see heavy machinery on site and there will be some construction noise.

Hours of work are Monday to Friday, from 7am until 5pm.