A section of State Highway 30 near Kawerau will be closed for 12 hours this week to allow contractors to upgrade railway lines that run over the road.

Drivers travelling between Rotorua and Whakatane between the hours of 6am and 6pm on Thursday June 12 should expect short delays of up to 10 minutes due to traffic detours.

The NZ Transport Agency's Bay of Plenty highway manager Brett Gliddon says the majority of motorists would be detoured through Kawerau on State Highway 34.

A detour via Onepu Springs Road will also be available.

''The work to upgrade the railway lines over SH30 involves removing and replacing the existing track at the level crossing and some drainage work.

'A full road closure is required to complete the works as it is not possible to line the rubber panels and track if carried out one lane at a time.”

Brett says contractors had chosen to go ahead with the work on June 12 as there were no trains running that day.

'The Transport Agency thanks motorists for their patience as this necessary work to upgrade the railway lines over SH30 is carried out.”

If the weather is too wet the works will be rescheduled.