The city Department of Transportation Services has begun installing traffic cameras in the Kane'ohe area, with plans to complete the project by May 2009.

The camera system will involve 19 cameras, fiber optic cable, and communication equipment installed along Kamehameha Highway, from Castle Junction to Halaulani Street, and along Kahekili Highway, from Likelike Highway to Haiku Road. The video images will be transmitted to the Traffic Management Center.

Crews will work between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Motorists are advised to plan for possible delays.

Upon completion of the project, the city will be able to monitor the traffic through the traffic cameras and adjust signal timing from the Traffic Management Center. Motorists will have access to the video through the city's Web site: www.honolulu.gov/cameras/traffic.htm.

"Given that traffic congestion is our top quality-of-life issue, the expansion of our successful camera system will enable city transportation managers to more effectively monitor traffic flow and give motorists a means of keeping abreast of traffic conditions during their commutes," Mayor Mufi Hannemann said in a news release.

The project contractor is Paul's Electrical Service and the cost is $1,697,000.

Future camera expansion projects are slated for Kailua, Kapolei, Waipi'o, and Waipahu.

The city operates 135 traffic cameras, primarily in the urban corridor from Hawai'i Kai to Kunia.