The City and County of Honolulu has undertaken work on nine major sewer projects this month as part of a continuing $560 million effort focused on the wastewater system.

Work has started on eight of the projects and begins today on the ninth — spot repairs along Mokapu Boulevard in Kailua.

"We didn't have a lot of work on our infrastructure for a long time," said Russell Takara, deputy director of the city's Design and Construction Department. He said the nine projects reflect a big focus on repairing roads and sewers.

Much of the work will involve lane closures and could affect traffic, city officials said.

The work along Wana'ao Road and Keolu Drive in Kailua is probably the biggest in terms of dollars, Takara said.

The city projects that the work from the intersection of Keolu Drive and Akahai Street to the Kailua Heights Wastewater Pump Station will be completed in January. The work includes installation of about 6,700 linear feet of pipeline and connections, according to the project's Web site.

Several roadway improvements in the area will feature new asphalt, concrete paving and markings as well as construction of new sidewalks and wheelchair ramps.

The project Web site indicates that the contractor will generally be permitted to work Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with paving operations from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Work continues on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but will not take place in front of the Keolu Center and Enchanted Lake Shopping Center.

The Web site explains that two-way traffic is anticipated with the exception of construction improvements at the intersections of Wana'ao Road and 'Auwina and Palawiki streets as well as Keolu Drive and Nani-ali'i Street. Drivers may face one-lane traffic between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

"Pretty much all (of the jobs) are replacing, whether it's small lines or big lines — either digging it up or replacing it," Takara said, noting that a liner may be installed if a sewer line doesn't require repairs.

"A lot of the sewers in the city are either undersized or old and we're trying to prevent sewer spills," he said.