The long-awaited North-South Road aimed at easing traffic in 'Ewa and Kapolei got another boost yesterday when Gov. Linda Lingle released nearly $3.07 million for Phase 1B of the project.

Scheduled to be done in late summer 2009, the North-South Road will connect Kapolei Parkway to H-1 Freeway with a new interchange, reducing traffic at the existing Makakilo and Kunia interchanges.

Phase 1B of the project will complete the unfinished portions of the road between Farrington Highway and Kapolei Parkway, as well as bridge-crossing structures, intersection improvements, water and sewer lines and drainage systems.

Phase 1A of the project was completed this month. Phase 1C, which started last month, will construct the interchange at H-1, and the road from H-1 to Farrington Highway.

Lingle released $12.78 million for Phase 1B in July. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and various for-profit utilities allocated an additional $6.7 million, while the Federal Highways Administration has allotted $48 million.

State transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa said the additional state funding was necessary because of cost redistribution between state and federal funding after the bid opening.