Palani Road work nearing completion

Palani Road is anticipated to return to two-lane travel between Kailua Pier and Kuakini Highway next week.

Contractor Jas. W. Glover expects to wrap up work replacing a 60-year-old, 6-inch cast iron sewer force main on Oct. 9, according to the Hawaii County Department of Environmental Management. At that point, traffic should resume normal flow.

The mauka-bound lane of Palani Road has been closed between the pier and highway since Aug. 18 while crews replaced the sewer line constructed in 1962. The project cost about $1 million.

Meanwhile, work on the $8.97 million Alii Drive Culvert Replacement Project continues with a targeted completion date set for May 2021. Both lanes of Alii Drive will remain on the temporary bridge near Tiki’s Surf Spot until the project wraps up, according to the Hawaii County Department of Public Works.

Motorists are advised that the speed limit has been reduced to 15 mph through the construction/detour zone and that they should drive with extra caution in the work zone. Pedestrians and cyclists will be detoured through the temporary bridge pedestrian walkway. Electronic message boards and road signs will advise motorists of the traffic flow change and speed limit reduction.