HONOLULU (KHON2) — The long-awaited Laniakea Highway realignment project officially broke ground, signaling the start of much-needed improvements aimed at alleviating the notorious traffic congestion on Oahu’s North Shore.

The $19.5 million project, led by Goodfellow Brothers, will include the construction of a new bridge and the relocation of Kamehameha Highway.

Additional upgrades will feature new pavement, upgraded signage, guardrails, street lights, and landscaping.

The current highway will be transformed into a pedestrian and bike path, offering a safer environment for visitors. While the parking area will be reduced in size, officials say it will remain open throughout construction.

Larry Dill, the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s highways administrator, emphasized the safety and long-term benefits of the project.

“We want to make a safe place for folks who are using this recreational area. It’s also addressing congestion because folks are no longer going to be dashing across the street and causing traffic snarls when they do that. It addresses our long-term system preservation requirements because we’re going to move the highway away from the ocean, and that should help maintain its integrity for the foreseeable future,” Dill said.

Matt Heahlke, regional vice president of Goodfellow Brothers, spoke about the project’s impact on local traffic flow. “We’re going to be building a bypass that safely lets people visit the beach while getting the neighbors home on time, without being stuck all the way back by Matsumoto’s at three o’clock,” Heahlke said.

The project is slated for completion in spring 2026, with the area remaining open throughout the duration of construction.