The state Department of Transportation on Thursday reopened a lane of Kamehameha Highway near Kaaawa that was closed for reconstruction of the heavily eroded roadway.

The northbound, or makai, lane on Kamehameha Highway near Kaaawa Valley Road and Kanenelu Beach in Kaaawa was closed Saturday due to damage from high surf.

Repair work began on the damaged asphalt and guardrail Tuesday, and transportation officials said the work was expected to end today but finished early.

Transportation crews and contractors worked from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day to remove the damaged asphalt and guardrail, fill the area with a cementlike material, install a new guardrail and repave the roadway.

Transportation officials said workers will need to return later to remove sandbags.

“I’d like to thank the public for their patience during the work, along with the City and County of Honolulu, the Army Corps of Engineers, and our contractor, Delta Construction Corp., for their assistance with the expedited repairs,” said Ford Fuchigami, Department of Transportation director. “This repair will help protect the area from future erosion as we continue to pursue solutions to preserve our coastal roadways.”