KEKAHA — The road through Kekaha is going to be more congested for motorists over the next several months.
KEKAHA — The road through Kekaha is going to be more congested for motorists over the next several months.
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation said it will close a single lane on Kaumuali‘i Highway in the vicinity of Kikiaola Boat Harbor from 8:30 a.m. on Monday through December. The closure is necessary in order to complete the permanent replacement of three, 54-inch culverts.
“The single lane closure will be continuous and travel in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow) in the open lane,” the department of transportation said in an advisory on Friday.
The stretch of Kaumuali‘i Highway was declared a traffic emergency zone in early April because the roadway was showing sings of potential culvert failure. As a result, department of transportation workers made temporary repairs and roadway reconstruction.
The single lane closure, which will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will afford crews the opportunity to replace corrugated metal pipes with reinforced, high-density polyethylene pipes and life the emergency zone designation.
Flaggers will provide alternating traffic control through the work zone during the construction period. Traffic control will be provided by temporary traffic signals during non-work hours.
Due to the nature of the work under the roadway, the speed limit through the work zone will be reduced to 10 mph, the department of transportation said.
Electronic signs have been placed to provide motorists and pedestrians notice. First responders have also been notified of the work. Highway users are asked to prepare for delays and follow signage and directions from the flaggers.
