A $3.6million project to realign a section of highway between Paengaroa and Rotorua continues with work extending beyond the planned seasonal close down period.

The Sun Valley Curves project looks to straighten a series of tight curves at a high crash spot along State Highway 33 near Pareteiro.

Map shows proposed new road on the right.

NZTA's Acting Bay of Plenty state highways manager Andrew Scott says the focus of the project is to improve the safety of road users by removing a common cause of crashes at this section.

'Failure to negotiate the series of tight curves in this area has led to vehicles coming off the road or crossing the centre line, this work will provide a more direct path for drivers.”

Andrew says a passing lane will also be added for southbound (towards Rotorua) traffic, which will allow drivers to overtake safely.

He says the project started early November 2012 and progress has been steady, despite heavy rain slowing some progress.

'Typically construction/earthworks projects like this will close for the winter, however the intention is to continue through, and the weather will ultimately decide how long we will continue.”

Construction is being undertaken at two separate sites at the northern end (Tauranga side) a large mechanically stabilised earth wall (known as MSE wall) is being built where the new road will be built on top.

This northern works is very close to the existing highway so a 70kp/h speed restriction is in place to ensure the safety of workers and motorists. The speed restriction will remain in place until the project ends for the season.

On the southern (around Rotorua) a considerable amount of earth works is being undertaken including removing Pareteiro Hill and filling in the valley where the new road will be built.

'The team have done a great job and are very close to reaching the required new road level,” says Andrew.

Service relocation and other work will continue through the winter on the existing highway in preparation for the start of new season - expected to be around early spring.

'The work through winter focuses on the existing road and includes installing culverts, drainage and road widening. This is where the new road will join the existing highway.”

Construction will resume again in early spring where activity will focus on applying the new road surface.

It is expected that traffic will be switched over to the new highway section around late summer (March) 2014; and the old road will be removed.

The project is estimated to cost $3.6million with Rotorua District Council overseeing the works as the NZTA's project partner for the Rotorua area.

In conjunction to improving safety along this section of State Highway 33, Andrew says reduced travel times will lead to more effective freight travel to the Port of Tauranga which benefits local operators.