Drivers in downtown Honolulu this weekend should consider avoiding Punchbowl Street between Ala Moana Boulevard and Pohukaina Street, where rail-related archeological trench-digging will take place.

That stretch of Punchbowl is expected to be closed 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Sunday, so that the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation can complete archeological survey work in the area requested by the State Historic Preservation Division.

Drivers heading makai on Punchbowl during those hours will not be able to directly access Ala Moana Boulevard, a HART release said. Motorists will be detoured onto Pohukaina and still be able to access Ala Moana Boulevard via South Street, which is two-way at that point.

The survey work along the urban section of the rail transit route is being used to identify potential archaeological, historical and cultural resources, so that rail project staff can properly design the elevated rail line.

Contractors Cultural Surveys Hawaii Inc. and Royal Contracting Co. will do the field work, the HART release said. For updates on construction work days and times, go to www.honolulutransit.org or call 566-2299.