The state has released money to pave the way to add a designated right turn lane at Keahole Street onto Kalaniana'ole Highway, as part of Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to stimulate the economy.

The project calls for adding an additional lane on Kalaniana'ole Highway going westbound from Keahole Street to Hawai'i Kai Drive. This lane will be an exclusive right-turn lane for Keahole Street traffic onto the highway. The total project costs $4 million, with about $2.3 million coming from federal funds and nearly $1 million from utility companies for moving their lines, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The governor released $800,000 in construction funds today.

It's a project residents in Hawai'i Kai have been asking for as a way to ease morning commute. Where the additional lane will be added on Kalaniana'ole Highway, the highway is two lanes that immediately open up to three. The road improvements mean three lanes will start at Keahole Street on Kalanaiana'ole Highway.

Bid opening is scheduled next month, with construction scheduled to begin September 2009 and the project should be completed in July 2010.

"The state Department of Transportation continues to implement improvements to our highways that will save drivers time and money," said Governor Lingle. "This project will relieve congestion and increase safety at a very busy intersection along Kalaniana'ole Highway."