About $21 million is being spent on upgrading the city's road network this year to make it safer for tourists and residents travelling in the region, deputy mayor Phil Betts said.

He met with Transport for NSW representatives on Friday as they travel across the state to raise awareness for National Road Safety Week, which starts on May 16.

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"It's one of our highest priorities, to make sure we have road safety issues addressed right across the council area," Cr Betts said.

He said upgrades to several bridges in the area as well as to main routes like Manilla Road, Gunnedah Road and Goonoo Goonoo Road would "significantly improve safety" for drivers.

Cr Betts said travellers on Tamworth roads had increased significantly as the city emerges from COVID-19 and people travel to the regions.

He said roads in the council area were assessed for upgrades and works on a "need by need" basis depending on what crash data from authorities showed.

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