A long-awaited road reconstruction project on Waianuenue Avenue is causing traffic delays on nearby Kaumana Drive.
A long-awaited road reconstruction project on Waianuenue Avenue is causing traffic delays on nearby Kaumana Drive.
Last September, Hawaii County awarded Jas a $10 million contract. W. Glover Ltd. for a rehabilitation project on Waianuenue that will extend from Kaiulani Street to the upper intersection of Rainbow Drive.
A lane on Waianuenue Avenue is closed part of the day for utility adjustments, causing delays for cars traveling on the busy road. A portion of Kaumana Drive is also closed so cars can detour at the Punahele Street intersection, instead of turning around on Waianuenue Avenue and Punawai Street.
“(Waianuenue) is a primary lifeline for the hospital and schools, so it requires night work,” Hawaii County Public Works Director Ikaika Rodenhurst said. “We understand the works are an inconvenience to those living in the area, but we are trying to minimize this by making some utility adjustments and paving at night.”
Work on the portion of Waianuenue currently underway is expected to be complete by the end of April, at which time the Kaumana Drive detour may be removed.
However, the full Waianuenue rehabilitation project is expected to be completed by December 29.
“The project is intended to take care of the deteriorating pavement and bring a little more life to the road,” Rodenhurst said. “It’s not meant to extend the roads, but to make sure they last longer.”
Contractors will also work on repaving concrete sidewalks and restoring the road.
Public Works has weekly updates on road works, maintenance, and traffic changes at www.dpw.hawaiicounty.gov/about-public-works/public-works-news.
