Construction work on improvements to the intersections of Palani Road and Kealaka`a and Palihiolo streets on the Big Island are on hold until redesign work on a detour road is completed, and three utility poles are relocated, said Bruce McClure, director of Hawai'i County's Department of Public Works.

The redesign is estimated to cost $100,000 and will take 90 days to complete.

Under the redesign plan, two utility poles along Palani road and one on Kealaka`a will be relocated to make way for a temporary detour road. Traffic will be temporarily diverted from Palani Road through a short section of the new Kealaka`a extension. It will continue another 800 feet makai before merging back on to the existing Palani Road.

The detour road will allow construction for a new traffic signal at the intersection of Palani Road at Palihiolo Street, one of two entrances into Lili`uokalani Subdivision, and realigning Kealaka`a at Palani Road.

These improvements will alter the flow of traffic at the current intersection of Palani Road and Kealaka`a. Presently motorists using Kealaka`a can turn right or left onto Palani Road and motorists heading mauka on Palani Road can turn left onto Kealaka`a. The new plan will permit only motorists heading makai on Palani Road to make right turns at this intersection.

The project, which began in June 2007, was originally projected to be completed in 18 months. A new completion date has not been determined. The project is 30 percent completed.

The project is estimated to cost $6 million, and 80 percent is funded by the Federal Highways Administration . Hawai'i taxpayers will pay 20 percent of the total cost. The delay does not affect the federal funding.

For the 24-hour road construction hot line, call 808-334-9559. For specifics about this project, contact Bruce C. McClure, P.E., Director, County Department of Public Works, 808- 961-8321.