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‘Deficient’ bridges
OK, to a point
But vehicles that exceed posted weight
Road work around Oahu By Gary T. Kubota
limits are at risk, a state engineer says
Maui correspondentWAILUKU -- While 49 percent of county and state bridges in the islands have been determined to be "deficient," they're safe to use if drivers comply with posted signs limiting the weight over them, said Donald Ornellas, a state bridge engineer.
"It'll take cars. Cars are no problem," Ornellas said.
"It's the guys that don't observe the rules and illegally drive with overloaded trucks that we have to be concerned about. If you overload that structure, you might get away with it a couple of times. But there's a good chance it will fail."
Ornellas said many of the 1,150 county and state bridges in Hawaii were constructed decades ago when building standards were less stringent.
Federal standards now require bridges to be able to carry at least 36 tons.
Bridges with a carrying capacity below that amount receive a lower grade, contributing to a deficiency rating.
A bridge can also receive a low grade for having too much traffic and lacking 8-foot-wide shoulders for pedestrians.
Hawaii's bridges have received deficiency ratings for other reasons as well, including the lack of an adequate width to accommodate two lanes of traffic.
In Hanalei on Kauai, and Hana on Maui, many of the bridges have one lane and a carrying capacity of 8 to 10 tons.
Ornellas said the bridges with the lowest ratings are the ones that receive top priority for replacement.
Most of the "worst" bridges are the older ones communities want to preserve and maintain rather than change to bring up to federal standards, Ornellas said.
"The people are not really interested in replacing the bridges," he said. "They want to keep the quaintness of the area."
State and county officials say if they do not follow federal design standards, they are unable to use federal bridge replacement funds and will have difficulty paying for the construction.
"It leaves us with a high percentage of deficient bridges," Ornellas said. "We try to get to those if they're really bad."
Under federal law, the bridges must be inspected every two years.
Ornellas said inspectors in the state have generally kept up with reviewing bridges' condition.
The engineer said the state will close a bridge if inspections discover it is unsafe, as in the case several years ago of a bridge that began sagging after a flood in Makaha.
"If the bridge is really bad, I'd shut the bridge down."
Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu: Streetwise
LEEWARD OAHU
Ewa Beach
Fort Weaver Road from Farrington Highway to Hanakahi Street; and Farrington Highway from Piliokoe Bridge to Kahe Power Plant in the vicinity of Tracks Beach Park.
Waianae
Hakalina Road from Pahihi to Puhawai roads.
NORTH OAHU
Haleiwa
Haleiwa Bypass.
CENTRAL OAHU
Kunia
Vicinity of Kunia Interchange to Waikele Stream Bridge and from Kupuna Loop to Farrington Highway; Kunia and Fort Weaver roads; H-1 freeway ramps 5 and 5-B and all other ramps in Kunia Interchange; and H-1 freeway in the vicinity of Kunia Interchange.
Wahiawa
Kilani Avenue from Holoku Place to Ilima Street; and Mala and Ilima streets.
Mililani
Mililani Interchange; and Lanikuhana Avenue.
Waipio
Farrington Highway, Leoole to Awanui streets; and Paiwa to Leoku streets.
Waipahu
Waipahu Street from Amokii Street to Waikele Road.
Aiea
Moanalua Road from Punanani Channel to Pali Momi Street; Kaonohi Street between Alania and Kahapili streets; Kahapili Street to Kaonohi Street; Maohu and Heleconia places; and Akaaka, Ilee, Kulawai and Kaamilo streets.
Pearl City
Komo Mai Drive from Waimano Home Road to Hookupa Street.
HONOLULU
Foster Village
Halupa Street from Haloa Drive to Punihi Street.
Salt Lake
Ala Ilima and Likini streets.
Kalihi
Makuahine and Kalihi streets; Dillingham Boulevard between Waiakamilo Road and North King Street; Kamanaiki Street from Violet to Laulani streets; and Kapalama, School, Moani, Laulani, Puolani, Pahulu and Noe streets.
Liliha
Huli Street; and Vineyard Boulevard at Nuuanu Avenue.
Nuuanu
Kimo Drive Bridge; Kaohinani Drive from Kimo to Pelekane drives; Kahawalu Drive between Kaohinani and Niolopua drives; Kahawalu Drive; Ragsdale and Homelani places; Pali Highway at Waokanaka Street; Waokanaka Street to the Pali tunnel entrance; Pali Highway from Country Club Road to the tunnel entrance, including both roads to the lookout; Dowsett Avenue; Waokanaka Street; and Old Pali Road.
Chinatown
King, River and Bethel streets.
Kakaako
Kapiolani Boulevard; Keawe Street on Ala Moana, South and Queen streets, and Nimitz Highway and River Street to end at Hotel Street; and Coral Street from Ala Moana to Auahi Street.
Kapiolani
Harding Avenue from Kapiolani Boulevard to 1st Avenue; and Kapiolani Interchange.
Makiki
Keeaumoku and Heulu streets; and Piikoi at Lewalani drives.
Moiliili
Kahoaloha Lane from Kuilei Lane to South King Street; and Kuulei Street from Kahoaloha Lane to University Avenue.
Punahou
Spreckels Street.
Kaimuki
12th, Koko Head, 6th and Kaimuki avenues.
Waialae
Aha Nui Place; Ainakoa Avenue; Malia and Makaikoa streets; and H-1 freeway, Koko Head to 21st avenues.
Waikiki
Ala Wai Boulevard between Ala Moana and Kalakaua Avenue; Kalakaua Avenue and McCully Street between Ala Wai and Kapiolani boulevards; and Kalakaua Avenue from Kaiulani to Kapahulu avenues.
Wilhelmina Rise
Maunahilu, Pakolu and Pili places; and Paula Drive between Maunahilu Place and Iwi Way.
WINDWARD OAHU
Kaaawa
Kamehameha Highway from Mahe Point to Lau Place.
Kahaluu
Ahuimanu Road; and Kialua, Hoopai and Poomau streets.
Hauula
Keala, Kawaipapa and Puuowaa roads; Waikulama Street; and Kamehameha Highway from Pipilani to Kaupau places.
Kailua
Kalanianaole Highway, Kamehameha Highway to Kapaa Quarry Road; Ililani Street from Mokapu Boulevard to Iliwahi Loop; Iliwahi Loop to Ilimano Street; Iliaina Street from Ililani Street to Iliwahi Loop and from Ilihau Street to end; Kailua Road at Kalaheo Avenue and on Aumoe Street; Kalanianaole Highway to Kawainui Bridge; Alahaki and Akupa streets; Ilikaa, Akupa, Akahele and Nanaloko places; Akaakoa Street and Place; and Old Kalanianaole Highway.
Waimanalo
Kaaiai Street from Huli to Nakini streets; and Kumuhau Street from Waikupanaha to Mahailua streets.
Kaneohe
Keaahala Road from Anoi Road to Keaahala Place.
EAST OAHU
Kalani Valley
Kalaniiki Street and Kalanikai Place.
Hawaii Kai
Kalanianaole Highway from Nawiliwili Street to Sandy Beach Park Entrance; and from Hanauma Bay to Sandy Beach.
