A water pontoon will be installed at Auckland's Viaduct to re-connect it to Wynyard Quarter

The usual bridge connecting the area to the Viaduct is likely to be closed all year for repairs - forcing customers and commuters to walk an extra 20 minutes.

Business owners in the Quarter have been asking for a solution claiming they've lost up to 70-percent of their revenue since its closure.

Auckland Council says it has sign off on a temporary water-level crossing using floating pontoons.

It will take around 12 weeks to install and will raise every 15 minutes or so to allow marine traffic through.