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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Wilson Tunnel awaits official acceptance
Question: The recent renovation of the Wilson Tunnels on Likelike Highway was orderly and much needed, and the Kaneohe-bound tunnel a great improvement over the old surface. The ride is smooth and enjoyable -- work well done. I am, however, disappointed that the just-completed town-bound tunnel has a very "wavy" surface delivering a fairly bumpy ride in the two different vehicles I've driven over it so far. What happened?
Answer: The state Department of Transportation hasn't yet officially accepted the new road surfacing from the contractor, so adjustments might still be made.
The department has received one other complaint about the "rideability" of the recently resurfaced town-bound tunnel, said transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa.
"We have to have overnight closures to finish up the project, so our inspectors will conduct another test for the smoothness and levelness of the tunnel surface," he told us Friday.
He said he'd keep us updated "if there needs to be any surface adjustments. If there is, it would probably be done during the overnight tunnel closures to cause the least inconvenience to drivers."
However, he points out that the concrete surface in the tunnel will never be as smooth as an asphalt surface.
"Grooved concrete was used to provide more traction for the tires, particularly on rainy days," he said.
Q: I have a question about the tunnel status sign installed on Pali and Kamehameha highways. The big white sign lists each of the three tunnels -- Pali, Wilson and H-3 -- and indicates "closed" for any of them. The past several weeks during renovation work on the Wilson Tunnel, a temporary sign along the Pali announced Likelike closed, Honolulu-bound, yet the tunnel status sign never listed the Wilson Tunnel as closed. Any idea why not?
A: The tunnel status sign is "under repairs," which is why the temporary sign was posted near Castle Junction, said Scott Ishikawa, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
Meanwhile, he said various electronic signs on the Windward side have gradually been brought on board, noting that "many of them were reduced in size the last two years at the request of the community."
He said four permanent message signs became operational this summer on the Windward side and have also been used to note the recent Wilson Tunnel closures.
Auwe
To the person saying "auwe" about losing out to another buyer at a garage sale ("Kokua Line," Oct. 6). I topped a buyer's "bid" once when he offered less than the value of the item. He said it was not worth any more, so I told the seller if he didn't take it, I would pay the seller's price. I got the item, and the "cheap" buyer was mad at me. We have to remember that a garage sale is not a retail store. The seller is entitled to get the best price he can. -- Richard Waddoups
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