Gov. Linda Lingle has released $36.6 million to replace passenger-loading bridges at Honolulu, Kahului and Hilo international airports, her office announced yesterday.

The work is part of the state Department of Transportation's two-year, $2.3 billion Airports Modernization Plan.

"These improvements are a critical component in our effort to modernize airports statewide," Lingle said in a news release. "Replacing old passenger-loading bridges will not only improve the appearance of our airports for residents and visitors, but also prevent unanticipated breakdowns of the bridges and allow for more efficient airport and airline operations."

Honolulu International Airport will get $22.7 million of the total to replace 25 passenger-loading bridges, also known as jet bridges, at boarding gates in the Diamond Head and 'Ewa concourses of the airport's Overseas Terminal. The original bridges were installed between 1975 and 1990.

Another $750,000 is designated for construction management services. All of Honolulu International Airport's 61 loading bridges are scheduled to be replaced by the end of 2009.

Kahului Airport will get $9.6 million to replace 11 passenger-loading bridges at the airport's northern concourse. The first phase of this project was completed in 2006 and replaced the bridges used by gates 1-21 in the southern concourse. This final phase is scheduled to be completed by mid-2009.

Hilo International Airport will get $3.6 million to replace four passenger-loading bridges used by gates in the main passenger terminal. The airport's other three bridges were replaced in 2006. This final phase is scheduled to be completed by mid-2009.