Road to Koke‘e a mess

KOKE‘E — Much of Route 550, which spans Waimea Canyon Drive and Koke‘e Road, is found to be in “poor” or “fair” overall condition, according to the state Department of Transportation’s Highway Program Status as measured in 2020.

During an trip up to Waimea Canyon this month, Pamela Welch could confirm.

“From the beginning of Route 550 in Waimea to the lodge at Koke‘e, the road was mediocre,” Welch said. “Rough, with many patches and few painted lines, but at least driveable. Right past the lodge was where the nightmare began.”

Welch described the drive from there on as either smooth or a “tire-popping, rim-bending, alignment-destroying, accident-causing mess.”

“I’m not sure how many of these road conditions changes there were before the grand finale: The intersection heading up to the last overlook. Only half of the road was passable, so right at the stop sign, all the cars heading up or down were forced into using a single lane,” Welch said.

But, hopefully, that’ll change soon. But it’ll take an estimated $20 million to fix it up, according to the DOT.

Improvements, including pavement reconstruction and repaving, are planned for Route 550, beginning in fiscal year 2022, which begins in July.

The first phase spans mile marker 4.6 through 7. DOT’s Road Condition Map rates this section in “poor” overall condition, which considers pavement smoothness, cracking and rutting.

There would be approximately one year between each of the five phases, and will cover about two to three miles in each segment, until the road is fixed up through mile marker 14.

Each phase is estimated to cost about $5 million.

“We are currently seeking additional funding to address Route 550 between mile markers 0 and 4.6,” a DOT spokesperson said. “If the funding authority is received as planned, we anticipate beginning improvements on this section of Waimea Canyon Drive in fiscal year 2024.”

Welch is worried that it could be too late.

“If the car-rental companies haven’t already done so, it will not take them long to make Waimea Canyon an exclusion, just like they have Polihale,” Welch remarked.

There’s also a spring 2021 planned project for intersection improvements at Waimea Canyon Drive and Menehune and Halepule roads. The project, estimated to cost between $1 million to $5 million, will widen Waimea Canyon Drive and Kaumuali‘i Highway at the intersection, to allow turn lanes, add new traffic signals and relocate overhead utilities.

“The last year would have been a perfect time to fix this extremely-unsafe situation and correct the deplorable stain on our beautiful island’s reputation while there were far fewer cars than the thousands that will soon be crowding the canyon,” Welch said.

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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.