Motorists are warned to expect delays on Bay of Plenty highways with New Zealand Transport Agency carrying out annual bridge inspections this week.

The inspections include selected bridges on State Highways 2, 30, 33, and 35 from today through until Friday.

The bridges will be inspected in the following order - SH2 Kaituna River Bridge; SH33 Mourea Bridge; SH30 Rangitaiki River Bridge; SH2 Waiotahi Bridge; SH2 Waioeka Opotiki Bridge and SH35 Haparapara Bridge.

BOP state highways manager Brett Gliddon says a temporary speed limit and a manual stop/go traffic management will be used to direct vehicles around the inspection area.

'These inspections will be carried out from a truck with a mobile platform to allow staff to inspect areas not accessible by foot.”

He says the inspections are carried out as part of the agency's regular bridge inspection programme.

Brett says the work is weather dependent and will be carried out between 9am and 4pm to reduce impact on peak traffic periods.

'We know some of these highways can be quite busy, we are confident these delays will be minimal and will be monitoring traffic movements to ensure only minor disruptions for drivers.

'We want to thank drivers in advance for their patience while we get this important inspection work underway.”

More information is available at www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions or free phone 0800 4HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).