(Big Island Video News) KONA, Hawaii – A blessing and dedication ceremony was held on Tuesday for Kona’s La‘aloa Avenue extension project. The 1,900-foot mauka-makai connector road comes complete with sidewalks and bicycle lanes that officials hope will improve traffic circulation and public safety. The $12.24 million extension joins Ali‘i Drive with Kuakini Highway mauka. The project is a top priority in the Kona Community Development Plan.

The project also improves the Kuakini and La‘aloa intersection, where a new traffic signal has been placed, as well as acceleration, deceleration and turn lanes. The project also brought improvements to the makai portion of La‘aloa through the White Sands Beach Estates and Ali‘i Heights subdivisions.

The work was done by Isemoto Contracting Company.

“The Kona community has been asking for more mauka-makai connectors for many years, and we want to thank the many people who worked hard to make this project a reality,” said Mayor Billy Kenoi in a media release. “More efficient traffic flow means our residents can spend less time on the road, and more time with their families.”

CREDITS: Video courtesy the County of Hawaii, edited by David Corrigan, voice of Sherry Bracken