Work starts this Sunday March 31, to repair and improve parts of Joan Gaskell Drive in Whitianga to make sure it's safe and smoother for motorists this winter.

The works have been planned to begin after the Repco Beach Hop event, so there's no disruption with the influx on the visitors to Whitianga this weekend.

In a statement from the Thames-Coromandel District Council, it says contractors Broad Spectrum are starting work on the road between the Waterways Bridge and Cook Drive from Sunday March 13 to Monday April 8.

'Plans are in place to minimise disruption as much as possible.

'Joan Gaskell Drive is due for a refurbishment, as sections of the road are becoming rougher, requiring frequent repairs with high maintenance costs.”

'While we are trying to minimise the disruption to the public as much as we can, the work will create some short term inconvenience, including minor traffic delays,” says Infrastructure Group Manager Bruce Hinson.

Traffic delays and/or detours will be in place to ensure the safety of the workers and motorists is not compromised.

Detours will minimise the impact on nearby residents and businesses located on Joan Gaskell Drive.

The work will be done in four sections, with most of it taking place at night to reduce construction time and ensure access is maintained to retail businesses during their opening hours.

The section of road between Kupe Drive and Cook Drive will be done first at night, and will have one lane closed at a time. The closed land will be detoured via Kupe Drive, Whitby Avenue and Cook Drive.

The daytime works will be between the Waterways Bridge and Kupe Drive and require the blocking of one lane with stop/go traffic management in place.

There will be periods where the road will be open but it will be unsealed with a reduced speed limit. The reduced speed limit will also be in place after construction works have finished to give the surface time to ‘bed in'.

'The work will also be weather dependent and may need to be extended,” says Bruce.

'We are asking everyone to be patience and understanding during the works.”

The four sections of work:

Section 1: Sunday March 31 from 7pm to 6am the following morning – pavement works.

Sections 1 and 2: Monday April 1 from 9pm to 6am the following morning. Completion of pavement works on Section 1 and commencement of pavement works on Section 2.

Section 2: Tuesday April 2 from 9am to 6am the following morning - complete pavement works.

Section 3: Wednesday April 3 from 7am to 5pm – pavement works.

Sections 1 and 2: Thursday April 4 from 9pm to 6am – sealing.

Section 4: Friday April 5 from 7am to 5pm – pavement works.

Sections 3 and 4: Monday April 8 from 7am to 5pm - sealing.