Traffic on Ala Moana Boulevard in Kakaako was backed up Friday because of a construction delay.

State crews are working to install new street lights and underground utilities, according to the Department of Transportation.  The work runs Sunday through Friday starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 5:30 a.m.

The road was supposed to be cleared by 5:30 a.m. every morning, but drivers complained that those temporary metal plates were loose.

Crews had to keep the cones up for hours until they could weld the plates together.  The welds need to last from the end of work Friday morning until 6 p.m. Sunday, so the crew stayed until around 9 a.m. to get the work done.

This caused traffic in the eastbound direction of Ala Moana Boulevard.

The Department of Transportation apologizes to motorists for the inconvenience.