PUHI, Hawaii — Ground has been broken on Kauai for a $39 million project to widen Kaumualii Highway from two lanes to four.

The 2-mile project offering shorter commute times between Puhi and Lihue is expected to create 400 jobs. It is slated to take two years to complete.
State Department of Transportation Director Brennon Morioka said Wednesday that the wider highway will include sidewalks and should have more room for bicyclists. He says intersections will also be upgraded and improved along the length of the route.
The DOT is hopeful a second, two-lane bridge mauka of the existing Lihue Plantation mill bridge will be under construction before the highway project is completed.
The department says the second bridge will cost between $25 million and $30 million.
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Information from: The Garden Island, http://www.kauaiworld.com/