Two busy Honolulu thoroughfares will undergo extensive roadwork that could cause traffic nightmares for motorists heading into Wai­kiki.

The city plans to repave heavily used Kapa­hulu Avenue, from Kai­muki into Wai­kiki, and Atkinson Drive, at Ala Moana Center and the Hawai‘i Convention Center.

Construction along Atkinson gets underway on Monday and will last four to five weeks, weather permitting. Work is scheduled to begin on Kapa­hulu in mid-March and wrap up by August.

Before workers start tearing up Kapa­hulu, contractors will first install new concrete bus pads along the busy four-lane roadway.

The price tag for roadwork stretching from Har­ding to Paki avenues is estimated at $4 million. Most of the work will likely be scheduled for 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Kapa­hulu was last repaved in the mid-1990s, and city officials said the uneven roadway is filled with cracks, potholes and a patchwork covering older potholes.

"It’s quite an unpleasant ride," said Robert Kro­ning, director of the city’s Department of Design and Construction. "The road does need to be repaved," despite disruption to traffic.

"We find in the end, most people thank us for doing the job because the ride is much more pleasant and safe, and everybody knows it’s needed," he said.

Contractors have notified Kapahulu businesses about the upcoming resurfacing work, and motorists are being advised to take contra-flow lanes and alternate routes.

Businesses, in turn, have been informing staff and customers to plan ahead and expect delays in their commute.

Gaston Ly, manager of an athletic shoe and apparel store, Running Room, said although he is worried about how the project will affect business, resurfacing is needed. "It’s something that has to be done. Other than that, you have to go with the flow," Ly said.

Robbie Acoba, operations manager at Side Street Inn on Da Strip, said the restaurant has notified vendors so delivery trucks can better schedule their commute to and from the area.

Restaurant guests also will be informed when roadwork takes place at night.

Like other business operators, Acoba said he hopes the project will be completed in a timely manner.

Work on Kapahulu Avenue and Atkinson Drive is part of Hono­lulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s goal to improve road conditions. A 2012 survey indicated conditions on approximately 1,500 miles of city roads were unsatisfactory.

In the past two years, Kro­ning said, the city has tackled approximately 300 miles annually.

On Atkinson, contractors will resurface the four-lane roadway between Kapiolani and Ala Moana boulevards. The estimated $1 million project also includes reconstruction of curbs and gutters, tree maintenance and adjustments to utilities.

Work is slated to take place 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Contractors will halt work during peak afternoon traffic and resume 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Work will also occur on weekends, 8 p.m. Saturdays to 6 a.m. Sundays and, if necessary, Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Atkinson Drive, which was last repaved in 1987, fronts Ala Moana Center, the Ala Moana Hotel, the YMCA-Central Branch, the Hawai‘i Convention Center and residential buildings.

Troy Tomita, executive director of the YMCA-Central Branch, expects that noise may be an issue for guests. "That might be a problem but it’s always noisy," he said with a laugh, noting sirens from firetrucks and ambulances among the blaring noises in the area.

Ron Takayama, assistant general manager of the Ala Moana Hotel, said he is dreading the expected roadwork-related noise and traffic backups. "Both of those issues really concern us," he said with a sigh, adding that the hotel has little control over such potential disruptions.

"Our wish is to get this project done as soon as possible and move on with life," Taka­yama said.