After years of patching up Hale'iwa's "Rainbow Bridge," a $2 million renovation project is under way to completely overhaul the historical landmark.

For years, the Anahulu Stream bridge — built in 1921 — had been crumbling and cracking. Rusting interior steel bars were expanding, popping chunks of concrete off the columns and into the ocean.

The mauka side of the bridge is nearly complete. On the ocean side, workers continue to man jackhammers and dodge debris.

Yet to be completed is the trestle's under portion. Five floating scaffolds have been built to accomplish the task. The project is expected to be finished in time for Christmas. Until then, traffic on the narrow bridge will remain two-lane.

When it's finished, Rainbow Bridge will look virtually identical to the way it did the day it opened more than eight decades ago, except that its curbing and railings will be slightly higher for safety reasons.