Summer has come early for Waikato and Bay of Plenty roads, with the NZ Transport Agency beginning its summer road maintenance season this week.

This includes a closure on State Highway 2 in the Karangahake Gorge, which will be closed overnight for resurfacing and again on Thursday, October 25.

NZTA Transport System Manager Karen Boyt says the work is weather dependent.

'Signs and detours will be in place alerting motorists in Paeroa at the western end of the gorge and Waihi at the eastern end," says Karen.

'Two detours will be in one place, one north to SH25 and the other south to SH29.

'The closure will be in place from 8pm to 5.30am on both nights while the old asphalt is milled out and new asphalt laid. If the weather is poor, new dates for the work will be advised.

'The Transport Agency thanks everyone for their patience while this important maintenance work is completed.”

The maintenance in the Gorge comes as part of a summer programme which involves 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," adds Karen.

'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.”

She says warmer spring and summer months are the best time for resurfacing as daylight hours are longer and the warm temperatures 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.”

Updates on specific work sites will be provided throughout the roadworks season online and via 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 great tool which includes interactive maps, worksites, area warnings, traffic updates and state highways road works information.”

To use the site visit: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/

Plan your journey and keep up to date with:

- 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

- www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP/

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nztawaibop