The work underground now involves jet grouting and placing fiberglass patches on each connection to seal the pipes before testing them.

This portion of the work should wrap up early next week, at which time contractors will start the job of connecting both new lines to the Beachwalk Pump Station. That will take place in the makai pit just off Kuhio Avenue.

Both tunnels began in another pit near the Ala Wai Community Gardens, on the mauka side of the Ala Wai Canal. It was one of the longest microtunneling operations ever conducted in Hawai'i.

The 11-ton microtunneling machine successfully bored two 1,100-foot tunnels 30 feet below the waters of the Ala Wai and under Kai'olu Street.

In March 2006 Kai'olu Street was the scene of a major sewage spill, triggering the Beachwalk Wastewater Emergency Bypass project.

The two new wastewater lines represent a key portion of the second phase of the BWEB project.

Next week, contractors plan to activate the temporary bypass pumps and pipes along the Ala Wai Boulevard. This bypass will be in use until the hookup of the pump station and the new underground pipes are completed.

Workers plan to activate the force main with the two new state-of-the-art lines by the end of June, and cease using the aging sewer line that broke 14 months ago under Kai'olu.

The city and contractors ask for the public's patience as work continues. Workers will be on Kai'olu Street patching several driveways that were affected by jet grouting operations. But the free on-street parking will remain available.

Visit www.beachwalkbypass.com for weekly updates. For more information call 543-8374.