K Rd to get new $2m bus shelters

The 40 year old bus shelters on Auckland's Karangahape Road are about to be replaced with new structures. Photo / Supplied

Landmark bus shelters on Auckland's Karangahape Rd above the central motorway junction are being replaced for more than $2 million.

Auckland Transport says the shelters, built in 1970 and home to a Saturday morning market, have considerably exceeded their design life of 25 years and are to be replaced in time for the Rugby World Cup.

This is because Karangahape Rd, which is renowned for its night life and colourful characters, is on a designated walking route between central Auckland and Eden Park.

The council-controlled organisation has budgeted $2.1 million to replace the shelters with new safety screens and canopies along the length of the road's bridge over the motorway junction.

It says maintenance costs mean it would be better to replace the bus shelters rather than try to repair them.

Project officials were unavailable to describe materials to be used, or how motorway traffic will be protected, but an artist's impression shows Maori panelling and a large screen separating the new bus shelters from the edge of the bridge.

Auckland Transport is also promising better lighting and new footpath surfaces in a project on which preliminary work has already begun. It's due to be completed early in August.

The organisation disclosed last week that it was spending the same amount - $2.1 million - on new canopies for Kingsland's railway station, to provide extra shelter to sports fans heading to and from Eden Park, including World Cup spectators.