KILAUEA – The Kilauea Bridge project is nearing completion. 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 the Engineering Division. He added that the project is running ahead of schedule.

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

Kiewit was awarded $12.8 million for the project, with $10.2 million from the Federal Highway Administration, which is administered by the state Department of Transportation, and $2.6 million from the county.

The new, two-lane concrete bridge is 102 feet long and 35 feet wide, and has a weight limit of 20 tons.