The New Zealand Transport Agency is about to start the summer road maintenance season.

NZTA Transport System Manager Karen Boyt says the programme starting this week will see road reconstruction, resurfacing and other maintenance work carried out on State Highways throughout the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

'We'll be delivering a large amount of roadworks within the region this season to improve the roads, increase safety and make people's journeys more enjoyable.”

'We're starting early to ensure we can get plenty of work done before busy holiday travel periods like Labour Weekend, Christmas and New Year's, when we don't carry out any work.”

'The resurfacing work in particular will improve conditions, and make the roads safer for everyone.”

Karen Boyt says warmer spring and summer months are the best time for resurfacing as daylight hours are longer and the warm temperature and dry air help the new seal stick to the road surface.

The Transport Agency is also urging people to be aware of road workers and to comply with temporary speed restrictions through work sites to keep them safe.

'Keeping your speed down where sealing work is underway or has just been completed not only helps to settle in the new road surface, it will also prevent stone chips flying into windscreens and protect our crews from injuries,” says Karen.

Updates on specific work sites will be provided throughout the roadworks season on the NZTA website and on social media.

'While we will try to keep inconveniences and delays to a minimum, we urge people to be patient and plan their journeys to account for some delays from road works,” says Karen.

The NZTA Journey Planner website is a tool which includes interactive maps, worksites, area warnings, traffic updates and state highways road works information: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz