The Transport Minister says upgrading the state highway north of Auckland is crucial to the safety of all who use the road.

Steven Joyce is in Whangarei today and outlined progress on several Northland roading projects, including the nationally-significant Puhoi to Wellsford upgrade.

The work includes creating four lanes on parts of State Highway 1 and bypassing Warkworth and Wellsford.

Mr Joyce says the road is crucial for Northland's future and it is unsafe with the high volume of traffic it handles now. He says investigation into route options will begin and in a few months' time consultation will start with property owners.