The state has released nearly $2.25 million to replace the 80-year-old North Kahana Stream Bridge on Kamehameha Highway with a new bridge that meets current design, seismic and vehicular load requirements.

Design is in progress and is expected to be completed in December, according to a press release from the office of Gov. Linda Lingle. Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2008 and be completed in February 2009.

The new bridge will be wider, with shoulders and sidewalks for pedestrian and bicycle access, and a larger waterway opening underneath the bridge to increase draining capacity during periodic flooding in the area.

Total project cost is estimated at nearly $12.4 million, which includes $8.67 million in federal funds, prior state allotments of $1.06 million, and $398,890 in private funds from Hawaiian Electric Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Oceanic Time Warner Cable to cover the temporary relocation of utility poles during construction.

A temporary road and bridge detour will be built on the makai side of the existing bridge to handle traffic during construction.