Brennon Morioka, deputy director for state highways, said both abutments of the bridge over the Ka'awali'i stream near the 35-mile marker of Hawai'i Belt Road sustained damage in the quakes.

"Although it's safe for travel right now, the long-term solution is either major repairs to the abutment or just replace the bridge and redo the abutment from scratch," he said.

The state has a single lane open on the bridge, and traffic flow is controlled by a portable stoplight system.

Morioka estimated the bridge repairs and repairs to a lane that collapsed next to the bridge would cost $6 million to $7 million.

The bridge was built in 1938, but has been upgraded to strengthen it since then, Morioka said.

Honokoa Gulch on Route 270 in North Kohala, which also had only one lane open today, is in need of a a more complete structural assessment, he said, noting that two girders under the makai lane of the bridge were damaged, and repairs are expected to cost about $1 million.

Morioka said crews have also been working to clear debris from the shoulders of the Queen Ka'ahumanu and Akone Pule Highways to prepared for the bicycle race portion of Saturday's Ironman Triathlon.