State officials have released $11.8 million for Neighbor Islands highway improvements, including nearly $8 million for Hale-akala Highway work on Maui.

The money will pay for the second phase of a project to widen the three-lane road into a four-lane divided highway from North Firebrick Road to the Pukalani Bypass.

Other improvements include a new traffic signal at the Hali'imaile Road intersection, an emergency escape ramp, and relocation of electrical facilities and utility poles.

The work includes traffic signal and safety improvements at the Makani Road intersection, site of numerous crashes.

The total project cost is $38.3 million, with the federal government and utility companies contributing more than $30 million.

Work is expected to be complete in late 2008, according to state officials.

The Hawai'i Belt Road on the Big Island is getting an additional $3.4 million in state money to replace the Kealakaha Stream Bridge. The structure will be built on a new alignment 120 feet downstream from the existing bridge. The state previously released $4.56 million for the project. The federal government and utility companies are kicking in $32.1 million.

On Kaua'i, $460,000 in state money was released for drainage improvements on Kaumuali'i Highway near Mahinauli Bridge, and $117,500 was released for a paved bikeway on Nawiliwili Road from Kaumuali'i Highway to Wa'apa Road. Both projects are expected to be finished by next fall.