Highway reopening pushed back

LIHUE – The Hawaii Department of Transportation said today the reopening of Kuhio Highway on the North Shore is being pushed back.

It was set for Wednesday but has been delayed at least three weeks, according to a press release.

“So many people have worked so hard to not only repair Kuhio Highway, but make it more resilient against future events,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue to work to ensure the road is safe.”

HDOT said emergency repairs to the section of Kuhio Highway (Route 560) between Waikoko and Wainiha damaged in the historic April 2018 flood are nearing completion.

Since the large-scale emergency repair project began, HDOT and its contractors completed 22 major tasks including the stabilization of the slope at Wainiha Bay and the rebuilding of sections where the embankment below the road was washed away in the disaster.

Monday, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, HDOT Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen, and representatives from the Federal Highway Administration conducted a site visit to the work areas on Kuhio Highway.

This site visit was prompted by community concerns brought to HDOT by Senate President Ronald Kouchi, Rep. Nadine Nakamura, and Mayor Kawakami and identified safety concerns over opening the roadway near Waikoko Bridge.

“Based on these concerns, Kuhio Highway will not be reopened until the work at the bridge progresses sufficiently to ensure the safety of the traveling public and our workers,” the release said. “Weather permitting, HDOT now anticipates the safety concerns will be resolved and the full opening Kuhio Highway will occur the week of May 20.”

Many people on the North Shore expressed concerned the highway was being reopened too soon.

Convoy access to Kuhio Highway past Waikoko will continue on the schedule published on March 27 until further notice. HDOT is considering adjustments to the schedule to accommodate the community and to reduce potential conflicts between drivers and the workers at Waikoko Bridge.