It may take another month before Kuhio Highway traffic returns to normal in Kilauea following the partial collapse of a 15-foot diameter culvert on March 5. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation reported Wednesday that alternating lanes should open by next
It may take another month before Kuhio Highway traffic returns to normal in Kilauea following the partial collapse of a 15-foot diameter culvert on March 5. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation reported Wednesday that alternating lanes should open by next week, and work will continue on either side.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience,” department spokesman Daniel Meisenzahl said. “It will probably take a month to complete all together.”
Concrete is now being poured each day, beginning at 6 a.m., and work will stop after 11 p.m. to allow it to set each night until Friday.
An unexpected road closure delayed traffic to and from the North Side Wednesday morning.
Workers reported that a large tree snapped as workers were scaling to prevent landslides above the Kalihiwai bridge between Kilauea and Princeville. The highway was closed from about 10:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
“We apologize for that situation. It was just one of those things that can happen,” Meisenzahl said.
The highway operates in contra-flow as workers continue to remove trees. Meisenzahl said the public will be kept apprised should the highway close again with the danger of falling rocks and trees.
In response to calls about storm damage causing cracks in Kalihiwai Bridge, Meisenzahl said there was superficial damage to the railing, but that the bridge is structurally sound.
Contractors at the Dry Cave near Ha‘ena are knocking down loose rocks, and traffic is being detoured through the cave parking lot. The disruption there should end when work is completed in the next couple of weeks, Meisenzahl said.
Highway work along the area of Hanalei where a hillside gave way has limited driving to contra-flow traffic along the makai, or ocean-side, road. Meisenzahl said work should be completed in less than a month.
The highway through Lumaha‘i is operating under the same single-lane condition, and ongoing emergency work will limit daytime travel for the next three months.
“We just really appreciate everyone’s patience, and we are working as hard as we can to get Kuhio Highway up to full capacity,” Meisenzahl said.
