Ala Moana Boulevard and Nimitz Highway are undergoing a makeover to be completed by March 2012.  

State contractor Goodfellow Bros. Inc. will be mostly working from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Some daytime work will occur Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Federal funding is paying for 73 percent of the $37 million project, with 20 percent being paid by the state, and 7 percent by utility companies. Part of the makeover work includes placing utilities underground.

New street light fixtures from the Ala Wai Bridge to Fort Street in downtown will also be installed. 

The project will also resurface portions of Ala Moana Boulevard between Piikoi and Holomoana Street, replacing damaged curbs and gutters and installing new concrete bus pads. 

State transportation spokesman Dan Meisenzahl said the crews will be moving all the equipment away from the roads every day, so impact on traffic will be minimal. The state’s biggest concern is noise during the night hours. 

"That’s the one thing that we’re keeping an eye on," Meisenzahl said. "We really appreciate everyone’s patience, but it’s going to look awesome. It’s going to have a real classic look."

The work now stretches from Kalakaua Avenue by Fort DeRussy to Queen Street. 

The project is part of the state’s efforts to beautify the island before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.