Major roadwork begins on Vineyard Boulevard

Construction began Monday morning on Vineyard Boulevard on a nine-month road resurfacing and reconstruction project that will require regular lane closures during the day.

The $8.8 million effort stretches from Palama Street to the Koko Head-bound H-1 freeway onramp, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The Vineyard work will include extending the left-hand turn lanes on Palama and Liliha streets, replacing damaged curbs and sidewalks, and installing more energy-efficient traffic signals. Drivers can expect to see one lane closed in each direction from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

Work began today on the sidewalk between Palama Street and Pua Lane in the Koko Head direction. The right hand lane was closed.

The work this week could also close the right lane through Liliha Street.

During the months of work, drivers can also expect to see one lane closed on the Ewa bound H-1 Vineyard offramp 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and one lane closed on Vineyard’s Koko Head-bound offramp from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

Motorists should plan accordingly and consider Dillingham Boulevard and Nimitz Highway as alternate routes through Kalihi.

The work coincides with the nighttime H-1 rehabilitation project, which closes the west-bound freeway from Vineyard Boulevard to Halona Street from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Vineyard Boulevard is an alternate route to the freeway at night and should remain open during the freeway closures as the Vineyard repairs take place during the day.

About 35,000 vehicles travel on Vineyard each day on average, DOT officials say.

Vineyard was last resurfaced in 1995, according to the DOT. That work should be done every 10 to 15 years, state Highways Administrator Alvin Takeshita said.