Work to improve safety along the stretch of State Highway 2 through Taneatua is scheduled to start this week.

NZTA says contractors will be on site from Wednesday, February 12 to complete a package of safety improvements and parking changes.

Transport Agency portfolio manager, Darryl Coalter, says the project aims to address the community's concerns about safety through the township.

'We've worked closely with key stakeholders in the area to make sure this project delivers what the community has asked for.

'In particular, we have focussed on improving safety outside Taneatua School as well as measures to help slow down traffic travelling through the town.

'By improving safety around the school we are making it more attractive and accessible for children to walk and cycle to and from school.”

The project includes a new flush median through the length of the town, one new pedestrian refuge island and two new pedestrian crossings, a dedicated bus bay outside Taneatua School, and narrowing of the traffic lanes.

New yellow ‘no parking' lines will also be added to some areas to support the safety improvements and stop vehicles from parking in areas that compromise motorists' visibility of pedestrians.

Construction is expected to take six weeks to complete.

During this time a temporary speed limit of 30km per hour and stop/go traffic management will be in place in the areas where contractors are working.

For more information visit www.nzta.govt.nz/taneatua-improvements