A $3.6million project to improve safety and reduce travel times along State Highway 33 is expected to start tomorrow.

Higgins Contractors will realign a series of curves along the highway approximately halfway between Paengaroa and Rotorua.

A $3.6million roading project will attempt to improve black spots from Paengaroa to Rotorua.

NZTA's Bay of Plenty state highways manager Brett Gliddon says the series of curves known as the ‘Sun Valley Curves' in the Pareteiro area is a historic crash ‘black spot'.

He says by straightening the curves road users will have increased safety, a reduction in travel time and improvement in the movement of freight to the Port of Tauranga.

Brett says a passing lane will also be installed to enable motorists travelling towards Rotorua from Paengaroa to overtake safely.

The project is estimated to cost $3.6million and is expected to be completed by March 2014 with Rotorua District Council overseeing the works as the NZTA's project partner for the Rotorua area.

During the construction process, minor delays can be expected as traffic will pass through the construction zone.