A section of highway in the Bay of Plenty is expected to be closed at night for around three weeks.

From 7.30pm Sunday, April 28, there will be three weeks of overnight road closures on SH30 Te Ngae Road, between Ōwhata Road and Basley Road, to allow safety improvements to be completed, says a statement from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

The agency expects this work to be finished mid-May.

"The road will be closed Sunday to Thursday nights, between 7.30pm and 5am, and this work is weather dependent. Outside these hours and days, the road will be open as normal. 

"While the road is closed, access for all local residents and businesses will be maintained."

During the closure, NZTA says all eastbound traffic from central and south-west Rotorua, including heavy haulage, will need to turn left at Vaughan Road and follow detours to the Ōwhata roundabout where it rejoins SH30 Te Ngae Road. 

All westbound traffic from Tauranga / Whakatāne, including heavy haulage, will need to turn right at Ōwhata roundabout and follow the detour via Vaughan Road. 

"Local traffic at the Basley Road intersection will need to turn right at Basley Road and follow detour signs.  

"This work includes installing ducting and streetlights, traffic light signals for the new pedestrian crossing, and constructing a median island. 

"There may be some noise and vibration while this work is underway, however the team will be working to keep this to a minimum.  

"The night closures allow our team to complete this work safely with less disruption to traffic. 

"We ask people to take care when traveling through the site and detour routes, follow all temporary traffic management signage, including reduced speed limits and any directions from our team.  

"Please be aware day works are taking place on Vaughan Road over a similar period and there may be changes to traffic management and the road layout. We’re working together to minimise disruption and move people through as efficiently and safely as possible.

"We appreciate your patience and understanding throughout this time."

For any project queries contact the project team via Connect Rotorua – connectrotorua@nzta.govt.nz