Roadwork summer season starts

NZTA transport system manager Karen Boyt says the summer roadworks season will be starting this week and will involve 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,” says Karen.

“We’re starting early this year to ensure we can get plenty of work done before busy holiday travel periods around 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 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 on our website and 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: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz