Safety improvement work starts on State Highway 2 south of Waihi.

Work will begin after tree and vegetation removal is finished which should be completed by the end of this week, says NZ Transport Agency Bay of Plenty system manager Rob Campbell.

Road widening work is occurring as part of the safety improvements project that started between Trig Road and Athenree Gorge mid-2019, says Rob.

Motorists will see excavators, heavy trucks and earth moving equipment and the road shoulder will be closed during this time, there will be no lane closures because the work will be off to the side of the road.

'We ask motorists travelling through the site during this time to slow down as there will a reduction in speed through the site to ensure the safety of the work crews and all road users,” he says.

The work will take around 4 months to complete.

NZTA advises motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.