A section of State Highway 2 through the Karangahake Gorge will be closed for about five nights, starting tomorrow.

Minor safety improvements will be taking place on the highway, between Mackaytown and Waikino.

Waka Kotahi Transport Agency says the work will be carried out at night from 9pm to 5am.

"During work hours, the road will be closed for 45-minute periods and will reopen for 15 minutes to allow traffic through. The first road closure will be at 9pm each evening," says a spokesperson for the roading agency.

"On Friday, May 21, crews will start at 9.30pm to allow weekend traffic through before the closures. Crews will not be working on Saturday, May 22, and the road will be open."

During the closures, no detour will be in place and the road will be closed at the intersection of SH2 and Seddon Street on the Waikino side, and at the intersection of SH2 and Albert Street on the Mackaytown side.

"Motorists may choose to take State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Ranges or State Highway 25/25A depending on the destination they're travelling to.

"In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, work may be postponed. For the latest information on the works each night, visit our interactive Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website."

This work is part of a programme to make regional state highways safer through a range of low-cost, high-benefit safety improvements, says Waka Kotahi.

For more information, visit the roading agency's webpage: nzta.govt.nz/safety-boost-programme

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)