The $12.8 million Kilauea Bridge replacement project is nearing completion and the new span is expected to open this week, ahead of schedule.

Striping and some minor work are all that remains to be done.

"We anticipate opening the new Kilauea Bridge Tuesday afternoon, weather permitting," said Alejandro B. Pascual, assistant chief of Kaua'i County's Engineering Division.

A notice to proceed for the bridge replacement project was issued in February to Kiewit Pacific Co., with a completion date of Jan. 19, 2009.

Federal funds covered $10.2 million of the project's cost, and the county paid $2.6 million. The new, two-lane concrete bridge is 102 feet long and 35 feet wide and has a weight limit of 20 tons.