LIHU‘E — Night work will be suspended due to the start of Newell’s shearwater fledgling season, according to the state Department of Transportation.
On Monday, Sept. 13, pavement reconstruction and resurfacing work of Kuhio Highway between Kapuna Road and Wailapa Road in Kilauea will switch to daytime hours.
The updated working hours will be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. For the duration of the work, a single lane closure will be in place, with traffic alternating through the open lane.
Artificial lights can affect young seabirds leaving their nests for the first time, causing them to collide with structures, becoming confused or exhausted, and leaving them grounded and vulnerable to predators and vehicles. By shifting this work to daytime hours, the DOT is doing its part to minimize impacts to Kaua‘i’s shearwater population.
This daytime work will be ongoing through October and possibly into November, weather permitting.
Other road work continues:
Koloa
• Multiple sections of Koloa Road are scheduled for lane closures Monday through Friday, Sept. 13 to 17, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ala Kalanikaumaka will be closed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. to southbound traffic from Koloa Road to Lopaka Paipa Boulevard for crews to complete the makai portion of the Koloa Road roundabout;
• Right lane closure of Kaumuali‘i Highway in the westbound direction between mile markers 5.2 and 6, Kahili Road and Weoweopilau Stream, Monday through Friday, Sept. 13 to 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for guardrail repair.
Kapa‘a
• Lane shift of Kuhio Highway in the southbound direction between mile markers 5.7 and 6.6, Kuhio Highway and Kapa‘a bypass road, Monday through Friday, Sept. 13 to 17, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., for lane and shoulder work. Existing lanes will be realigned and narrowed 24 hours a day.
Anahola
• Right lane closure of Kuhio Highway in both directions between mile markers 11.2 and 15.2, Makanani Street and Aliomanu Road, on Monday, Sept. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for landscaping and tree-trimming work.
• Right lane closure of Kuhio Highway in both directions between mile markers 11.8 and 13.1, on Monday, Sept. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for highway-widening work.
Kilauea
• Right lane closure of Kuhio Highway in both directions between mile markers 23.3 and 25.1, Kolo Road and Kalihiwai Road, Monday through Friday, Sept. 13 to 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for landscaping and tree-trimming work.
Hanalei
• Single-lane closure of Kuhio Highway in both directions between mile markers 0.0 and 1.3, Kuhio Highway and Ohiki Road, Monday through Friday, Sept. 13 to 17, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., for Hanalei Hill emergency project construction. There will be an alternating, single-lane closure along Kuhio Highway between the Kolopua Apartments and Hanalei Bridge during these work hours.
The schedule for public access for the upcoming week will be: Today: two lanes open all day; Monday to Saturday: 12 to 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m., two lanes open; 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., single lane alternating traffic.