Colour boost for Auckland's faded pink cycle path

Auckland's $18m pink cycleway will be getting a new layer of sun protection that will give its faded appearance a more durable colour boost. New Zealand Herald Photograph by Jason Oxenham.

Auckland's $18 million pink cycleway will be getting a new layer of sun protection that will give its faded appearance a more durable colour boost.

Just over a year on from when the Te Ara I Whiti [Lightpath] Cycleway was first opened its once vibrant magenta pink has faded to more of a dirty pastel.

However, Auckland Council, the New Zealand Transport Agency and Auckland Transport have work planned for early next month that will return the Lightpath to its former glory.

NZTA Auckland highway manager Brett Gliddon said the $115,000 refresh will see the path given a layer of UV protection that will protect it from the natural elements and make its colour even more vibrant.

"This UV coating is marine grade and is used on cruise and container ships, so the paint surface will now live up to the harshest possible conditions and will be far more fade resistant."

Those traversing the path, which connects Upper Queen St to Nelson St may have spotted a few magenta patches already where workers have tested the new UV material.

Small sections of fresh paving on the pink cycleway near the Karangahape Rd overpass, Auckland. 13 February 2017 New Zealand Herald Photograph by Jason Oxenham.

An NZTA spokeswoman said the work should ensure the colour will last for the next five years.

She said some other minor work had been done to repair chipping on the path - but that was covered by the defects liability period.

Late last year the NZTA said these chips had been a result of some "bonding issues" that were a result of the layers being laid down during wet-weather - a factor which would also be addressed during next month's planned maintenance work.

Gliddon said as work was undertaken on the path, from March 1 to March 9, it would have to be closed to all users.

However, these dates could change as the work could only be carried out during dry weather.

"We're delighted with the popularity of the Lightpath and apologise for any inconvenience its closure will cause, but along with Auckland Transport and Auckland Council, we're committed to keeping it well maintained so that many more thousands of people can continue to enjoy it."

Despite the cosmetic issues, the Lightpath still managed to scoop up a prize at the World Architecture Festival, where it won the transport category at the annual awards in Berlin last November.