Ala Moana, Nimitz getting makeover

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 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 streets, 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 from the roads every day, so impact on traffic will be minimal. The biggest concern is noise during the night hours. "That’s the one thing that we’re keeping an eye on," he said. "We really appreciate everyone’s patience, but it’s going to look awesome."

The work now stretches from Kalakaua Avenue by Fort DeRussy to Queen Street. It is part of the state’s beautification efforts before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in November.