By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
Work is in progress at Malaekahana Stream near Kahuku
to build a new bridge, which will have a bike lane and
pedestrian walkway and be able to better withstand flooding.

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New bridge near Kahuku
will be ‘much safer’

An old bridge across Malaekahana Stream
has been the site of many accidents

By Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin

In a little more than a year, the bridge on Kamehameha Highway that crosses Malaekahana Stream will be longer, wider and safer.

Construction began this month on a $4.1 million project to replace the concrete bridge near Kahuku.

The new bridge will have a bike lane and walkway for pedestrians.

"It will be good for everyone," said area resident Mary Kaina. "Right now there's no place for people to walk across. Then you won't have to squeeze and wait for the cars to go by.

"There are kids that walk across to go to the beach with their boogie boards."

The current bridge, built in 1937, is 50 feet long. The new bridge will be 105 feet long, which should lessen the flood risk during heavy rains.

"The new bridge will allow flood waters from a 100-year storm to pass," said Councilman Steve Holmes, who represents the area.

"Because it is wider, it is less likely to clog up and cause flooding."

Holmes said the new bridge will also improve sightlines so people coming out of nearby Adams Road will be able to see cars approaching over the bridge.

From 1994 to 1997 there were eight major accidents and one minor accident at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Adams Road related to sight-distance problems at the bridge, Holmes said.

The abutments will also have cushioning to reduce the potential for injury if a car hits the bridge.

"It will be a much safer bridge all the way around," Holmes said.

The state awarded the contract to replace the bridge to Okada Trucking Co. Their bid came in $1.3 million below the state's estimated cost of $5.4 million.

The project should be completed in about 15 months.

The first phase of construction involves putting drainage pipes in place. A temporary road will be built over the pipes and, once the temporary road is finished, work will begin to tear down the existing bridge and construct the new one.

The replacement of the Malaekahana bridge is part of an ongoing program to replace aging bridges around the state, a joint project between the Federal Highway Administration and the state Transportation Department.

The number of bridges replaced each year will depend on the amount of federal funding available.

The bridges to be replaced are on a priority list based on safety, age and load factors.

Holmes said the bridge near the Waiahole Poi factory also is scheduled to be replaced soon.

Beware of road repairs

Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu:

LEEWARD OAHU

Maili: Mamoalii Place and Way; and Ehu and Hakeakea streets.

NORTH OAHU

Waialua: Goodale Avenue between Nahoa and Haona streets.
Haleiwa/Wailua: Lokoea Place and "Chun's Road."
Hauula: Pipilani Place.

CENTRAL OAHU

Makakilo: H-1 to Makakilo Drive; and Farrington Highway at Palailai Interchange.
Barbers Point: Waiomea Street to before Campbell Industrial Park; and Barbers Point Harbor Exit.
Wahiawa: Kaliko Drive from 1992 California Avenue to 101 Kaliko Drive.
Waipahu: Farrington Highway from Fort Weaver Road to Waipahu High School.
Waiawa: Waipahu Street to Waiawa Road; and Kamehameha Highway from Acacia Road to Honomanu Street.
Waiau: Waiau Interchange at Moanalua Road; and Moanalua Road.
Pearl City: Moanalua Road from Waimano Home Road to Hoomalu Street; Honomanu Street from Moanalua Road to Kamehameha Highway.
Waimalu: H-1, Waimalu Viaduct to Halawa Interchange.

HONOLULU

Alewa Heights: Alewa Drive from 1259 to 1572 Alewa Drive; Mamalu Street from 210 Mamalu St. to Alewa Drive.
Nuuanu: Pali Highway from Country Club Road to the tunnel entrance, including both roads to the lookout; Waokanaka Street to Nuuanu Pali Drive; Country Club Road to Waokanaka Street; and Nioilupa Drive.
Ala Moana: Alder, Cedar, Elm, Makaloa and Rycroft streets.
Moiliili: Date Street from Kapiolani Boulevard to Manoa-Palolo Drainage.
St. Louis Heights: St. Louis Drive between Bertram and Oswald streets.
Kapahulu: Kihei Place; and Date Street at Kapahulu Avenue.
Palolo: Eighth Avenue from Maluhia Street to Waialae Avenue; Narcissus, Ginger, Jasmine and Orchid streets; Gardenia Street from makai end to Carlos Long Street; and Myrtle Street from Carlos Long Street to makai end.

WINDWARD OAHU

Kaneohe: Kahekili Highway from Haiku Road to Hui Iwa (east).
Kailua: Hamakua Place; and Ilimano Street between Ilihau and Ililani streets.
Kahaluu: Mapumapu Road.
Waimanalo: Flamingo Street; and Ahiki Street.

EAST OAHU

Kalama Valley: Kaeleku Street from Wawau to Kepaniwai streets.