HAWAI'I KAI — Commuters can anticipate easier traffic merging come 2008 when the state is expected to launch its "free-right" turn lane project, stretching from Keahole Street to Hawai'i Kai Drive onto Kalaniana'ole Highway.

This proposed dedicated right-turn lane will be a block-long and cost taxpayers about $2.8 million. About 80 percent of construction costs will be paid for with federal money. The state Department of Transportation has begun the environmental process for the project, which includes acquiring land from Kamehameha Schools that is needed for the lane to be used by merging traffic.

The project is expected to ease the flow of morning traffic coming from the valleys and backing up while cars attempt to merge onto the highway before it becomes three lanes just past Hawai'i Kai Drive.

More than 10 years ago, the state spent $86 million on a five-year project to widen Kalaniana'ole Highway from four lanes to six lanes from Niu Valley to 'Aina Haina. For a time, the widened highway increased traffic flow into town during peak commuting hours. The increase in Hawai'i Kai's population, however, has once again caused traffic backups on side streets among vehicles attempting to get to the highway.

"This is what we consider an easy fix to the traffic congestion," said Scott Ishikawa, state DOT spokesman. "We'll be seeking approval in the Legislature next session for this project."

While the proposed project is still years from completion, the state must initiate the environmental process. It includes the preparation of a draft environmental assessment that must be approved before any permits can be applied for, such as a special management area use permit, which requires City Council approval.

The high price tag is because of the cost of land and the fact that utilities will have to be moved, Ishikawa said.

Commuter Judy Kern said she and her husband often leave their Kalama Valley home by 6 a.m. to arrive on the highway before most of the traffic has time to accumulate. Still, they use either Keahole Street or Hawai'i Kai Drive rather than Lunalilo Home Road because Kalaniana'ole Highway has three lanes at that point, while bottleneck traffic can slow the commute along Lunalilo Home Road.

Another Hawai'i Kai commuter, Steve Robinow, said he questions the value of widening the road for a single block.

"It is difficult to understand how relieving traffic congestion for one block will significantly alter the commute from Hawai'i Kai ... in any significant way," Robinow said. "The proposed lane addition is certain to cause an array of traffic problems at the intersection of Hawai'i Kai Drive and Kalaniana'ole Highway."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.