Work to reduce the number of serious crashes on State Highway 29 at Tauriko will start Sunday evening and motorists are being warned to expect delays.

Road workers will remove the passing lane from Redwood Lane to Gargan Road, install a right turn bay at the Gargan Road intersection and a apply skid resistance surface to improve safety at the SH29 location.

SH29 in Tauriko is a crash hot spot.

NZ Transport Agency's Bay of Plenty state highways manager Brett Gliddon says the passing lane that starts from past Redwood Lane to Gargan Road will be removed to reduce the risk of further serious crashes at this location, and in particular those involving vehicles turning right into Gargan Road.

Brett says the changes were part of the NZTA's ‘safe system' approach to reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

'We're aiming to reduce deaths and serious injuries by taking action in four key areas - safer roads and roadsides, safe vehicles, safe road use and safe speeds.

'The NZTA is making significant investments in safety improvements on the region's roads, we are working with police to promote safe driving through advertising and enforcement and we are encouraging motorists to buy the safest vehicles they can afford.”

By removing the passing lane Brett says the shoulder can be widened to allow more room for cyclists and more room between opposing traffic.

He says a temporary speed restriction will be in place during the works which may cause minor delays.

'This work is expected to be completed by mid-next week.”