Whangarei MP Phil Heatley has turned the first sod to mark the start of a $20 million roading project.
The State Highway One - Kamo bypass will be extended through the city over the next four years and other parts of the highway will be widened to four lanes.
The Transport Agency says the work will ease traffic congestion in the city.
The project was moved forward last year, when the Government released funding as an economic stimulus to counter the recession.
