Work to begin on new Auckland cycleway along Quay St

Artist's impression of Quay Street Cycleway looking east from the intersection with Gore Street. Photo / Supplied via Auckland Transport

Work on the cycleway along Auckland's premier waterfront street begins this week.

The Quay St cycleway is expected to open in July and the initial construction will be focused on Lower Hobson St to Commerce St.

Auckland Transport says this section is expected to be completed by mid-May.

Transport officials say disruption to traffic will be kept to a minimum by keeping lanes open during the morning and evening rush hours and closing them during less busy periods.

The 3-metre wide cycleway will be a mixture of two-way cycle lanes and a shared path.

Rubber kerbs will be installed along the busiest stretch of the street, around Auckland Viaduct, to protect cyclists from accidents in a project being fast-tracked before work starts on the city rail link.

The Herald has reported the cycleway will cost about $1.5 million and will provide a link to other major CBD cycleways under a three-year Auckland Transport and central government investment in cycling.

Auckland Transport has grand plans for Quay St, saying it will transform the waterfront way into a "coastal boulevard" over the next five to 10 years.

"It will have more space for walking and cycling, along with outdoor dining and recreation. The improved public transport delivered by the city rail link will help enable this transformation."