LIHU‘E — A few potholes here plus a couple of road closures there equals a plethora of aggravated drivers. As summertime descends upon the island, road repairs will begin to flourish. While that may be good news for tires, it’s
LIHU‘E — A few potholes here plus a couple of road closures there equals a plethora of aggravated drivers.
As summertime descends upon the island, road repairs will begin to flourish. While that may be good news for tires, it’s bad news for people on the move.
With the expected influx of seasonal visitors, traffic can be expected to hit certain parts of the island this summer, especially at locations where there is ongoing road work.
In fact, an area that residents have already noticed a change in scenery is Kapule Highway in Lihu‘e, from Rice Street to Ahukini Road, where orange and white road barriers divert traffic and block off one lane.
The project is not related to the Kaua‘i Lagoons affordable housing at Haoa Street, said Wallace Kudo, chief for the Department of Public Works Engineering Division.
The work is actually a State Department of Transportation project and, according to DOT spokeswoman Tammy Mori, Kapule Highway is to be resurfaced; a job that was originally intended to begin in November 2008.
Residents may have also recently have observed large machinery and equipment appearing on the North Shore, especially by the Princeville entrance, which is reportedly to be used for resurfacing Kuhio Highway from Princeville to ‘Anini Vista Drive, although an exact start date has not yet been announced.
Stimulus monies are also well on their way to being invested in road projects such as Koke‘e Road and Puhi Road, Kudo said.
“We are only in the design and permitting stage and construction may be further down the line after this summer,” he added.
See sidebar for a comprehensive list of road work and expected closures.
Full list of projects
From State Department
of Transportation
• Kuhio Highway — Resurfacing from ‘Anini Vista Drive to Mile Marker 27. Project cost is $1.65 million.
• Kuhio Highway — Resurfacing Mile Marker 27 to Princeville. Project cost is $1.88 million.
• Kapule Highway — Resurfacing from Rice Street to Ahukini Road. Construction to begin in November 2008. Estimated project cost $3 million.
• Kaumuali‘i Highway — Pavement marking from Lele Road and Kekaha Landfill. Construction to begin September 2008. Estimated project cost $200,000.
• Kaumualii Highway — Spall repairs at Wahiawa Bridge. Construction to begin October 2008. Project cost is $799,217.
• Kaumuali‘i Highway — Kuhio Highway and Kuamo‘o Road retaining walls. Construction to begin November 2008. Estimated project cost $3 million.
• Kuhio Highway — Widening of the Wailua Cane Haul Bridge. Construction to begin July 2009. Estimated Project Cost $23.5 million.
• Kuhio Highway —– Four-lane widening of the Kuhio Highway from the Kapa‘a Temporary Bypass Road to the Wailua Bridge. Construction to begin late 2009. Estimated project cost $10.6 million.
• Kaumualii Highway — Four-lane widening from Lihu‘e Mill Bridge to Anonui Street Construction to begin late 2009. Estimated Project Cost $41.34 million.
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $85.97 million
From Kaua‘i County
• Opaeka‘a Bridge Rehabilitation — Install structural supports for the bridge. Road closure will initially be only during the working hours and will later be 24/7 for a period of about 2 months. Estimated start date: Mid-June. Estimated completion date: Mid-September.
•Pu‘uopae Bridge Rehabilitation — Structural repairs for the bridge. Road closure will be only during working hours.Estimated start date: Early August. Estimated completion date: End of August.
• Replacement of culvert on Kamalu Road in the vicinity of Wailua Homesteads park. Start date is dependent on weather conditions. No major road closure anticipated. Estimated time to complete work is 3 weeks.
• Road work is planned for Koloa Road, Maluhia Road and Weliweli Road for the Koloa Town Shops project and Weliweli Road for the Koloa Creekside project due to sewer and waterline as well as roadway improvements.
•Kaua‘i Habit for Humanity currently has a sewer line connection under construction on state highways at Haleiwili Road and Kaumuali‘i Highway.
•The Department of Water is currently undergoing waterline improvements in Waimea, Kalaheo, and Kapa‘a Homesteads.
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
