A five-month detour has been put in place for a stretch of Napier Rd at Mangateretere as work is carried out on a new roundabout system where it links into SH2 between Napier and Hastings.
The roundabout is part of the $25.6 million Whakatu arterial link project which will create an easier and more effective "corridor" from Havelock North by connecting SH2 with Pakowhai Rd.
A temporary roundabout near Mangateretere School is also in place where Havelock North bound traffic is detoured into Lawn and Pilcher Rds while the main roundabout work is carried out.
The main highway is not affected although speed restrictions are in place through the area.
"People will have to allow extra (travel) time for this detour," New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman Oliver Postings said.
The new arterial route, which has been described as "a strategic link of the highest priority in the region" will be a 3km stretch between Mangateretere and Pakowhai Rd and will encompass three large roundabouts (one at each end and one in the industrial Whakatu zone) and a bridge over the Karamu Stream at the Pakowhai Rd end.
It will create a more effective route for traffic between the industrial hub of Whakatu and the port, via the expressway, which will have the additional benefit of reducing heavy traffic on Napier's Marine Parade.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said it was a significant regional project that had been sitting in the pipeline for five years and that getting it under way was a milestone".
The entire project is expected to take about a year to complete.
The project is one a several roadworks operations being undertaken across the region.
Contractors are carrying out sealing work across stretches of SH2 north between Bay View and Putorino and SH2 south between Hastings and Dannevirke.
There were also urban resealing projects being carried out in parts of Napier and motorists are being advised to expect delays if using Taradale Rd and Breakwater Rd this Saturday.
The work was scheduled for that day as it avoided peak commuter traffic use.
Stop/go controls will be in place and drivers are being asked to either avoid those stretches if possible but to exercise patience if they do travel them as there will be slight delays.
Delays can also be expected on SH2 where sealing is under way as well as on SH5 between Eskdale and Tarawera where contractors are undertaking an annual re-paint of road markings.