Kona Mauka-Makai Road Project Moves to Final Phase

The second phase of a new Kona road project connecting Ali`i Drive with Kuakini Highway will get underway later this month.

The La`aloa Avenue extension is expected to provide considerable relief to traffic in the area, as there currently are no mauka-makai connectors in the 3.5-mile stretch of Alii Drive between Royal Poinciana Drive and King Kamehameha III Road.

The latest part of the project involves adding sidewalks, curbs, street parking, bike lanes and drainage improvements to the existing 3,800-foot portion portion of La`aloa Avenue.

Noelani Whittington, spokeswoman for the county Department of Public Works, said the work will begin Jan. 27, and is expected to be completed in July.

The $4.4 million second phase also includes improvements to the roadway’s intersection with Ali`i Drive where a three-way stop will be constructed.

Work on the project’s first phase, which involves extending La`aloa 1,500 feet and installation of a traffic signal at its new intersection with Kuakini Highway, began in July 2013.

Completion of that $7.7 million phase is scheduled for June.

Isemoto Contracting won the bids for both phases.