"We're trying to get everything done in 60 days to beat the rush," city Environmental Services Director Frank Doyle said.

Starting today, the city will close the two center lanes of Kapi'olani Boulevard between Atkinson Drive and Kaheka Street for the repair work. That will leave two lanes of traffic open in either direction on the busy commercial thoroughfare.

Using a new technique that repairs the aging 36-inch sewer pipes in place without extensive street trenching, engineers hope to have the first phase of the project done in 20 days, then move on to two other stretches of road between Kaheka and Pensacola streets.

"There's going to be some disruption, of course, but we're trying to keep it to a minimum," Doyle said.

The new repair process involves inserting a felt-like material into the crumbling pipes, pouring hot water through them and allowing the material to harden in place.

"It's a lot easier than digging up the whole street and replacing the pipes," Doyle said.

The pipes are at least 60 years old and have been deteriorating for some time, Doyle said. "It's something that just had to be done," Doyle said. "We want to get in there and get out as soon as possible."

City crews plan to work around the clock, seven days a week to get the work done before the annual surge in holiday traffic, which this year could be made worse by the expected October opening of the $58 million Wal-Mart/Sam's Club superstore on nearby Ke'eaumoku Street.

In addition to the closing of two lanes, the $1.7 million construction project will require suspension of existing morning and afternoon contraflow lanes through the area. All left turns and on-street parking in the construction zone also will be banned, Doyle said.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5460.