Ruapehu District Council roading contractors are due to start their summer work programme on the Ohakune Mountain Rd.
Council land transport manager, Warren Furner, said the council had an "ambitious improvement programme" for the road that should be completed before the ski season began.
New guardrails and road-shoulder support and additional concrete debris barriers would be installed, parts would undergo road renewal and resurfacing, and improvements to the road grade were planned.
"Last year council was successful in having the road retain its Special Purpose Rd status and the 100 per cent road works subsidy that comes with it for the next three years under the NZ Transport Agency's review of the level of financial support it provides to local road work projects."
"It is important that we take full advantage of the road's Special Purpose status and the 100 per cent road works subsidy that comes with it while we still have it.
"Retaining the 100 per cent subsidy for the next three years has been vital in enabling council to plan and undertake required maintenance and renewal work on the road in support of our economic development objectives and central government's business growth agenda."
Mr Furner said the work programme was being undertaken in consultation with Ngati Rangi, the Department of Conservation (DoC) and Ruapehu Alpine Lifts. "All contractors working on the road must adhere to DoC and iwi protocols regarding the movement of materials and the cleaning of machinery prior to work commencing," he said. "The protocols are designed to protect the environmental health and cultural integrity of Mt Ruapehu and the National Park."
Before the work gets under way on Monday Ngati Rangi will hold a cultural induction and blessing for all involved. "DoC will also be inspecting all machinery being used to ensure it has been adequately cleaned and plant pests or diseases are not being introduced into the National Park.
"The first stage of work will include general site preparation including vegetation relocation followed by a 13km grade improvement and pavement renewal at the bottom of the road."
Road users were asked to drive with "care and courtesy" through work sites.