Video by David Corrigna | Voice of Stephanie Salazar

NORTH KONA, Hawaii: Construction on Ka`iminani Drive in North Kona is scheduled to begin this week.

Hawaii County’s Public Works Department says improvements will begin just below the intersection at Māmalahoa Highway for approximately one mile ending near Ahiahi Street.

Officials say improvements will focus on roadway reconstruction and drainage improvements that include six-foot wide shoulders, drainage structures and swales, and driveway tie-ins on Ka`iminani to prevent a “drop-off” between the reconstructed pavement and the existing driveways.

There will also be work on retaining walls, utility adjustment and relocation, mailbox and newspaper box relocation, road resurfacing, new signs and restriping.

The contractor will also work with the property owners to coordinate the removal and/or trimming of plants located in the County right-of-way.

The County says the temporary relocation of postal and newspaper boxes and temporary shutdown of water and utility services will be coordinated with the U.S. Postal Service, the contractor, utility companies, property owners and County agencies.

Traffic management plans will be in place between the construction hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No weekends, holidays and nighttime work is scheduled at this time.

The contractor, Jas W. Glover Ltd, was awarded the $10 million improvement project, 80% of which is being funded by the Federal Highway Administration.

Construction is expected to take a year.