Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Road repairs scheduled to save on costs

Question: Since November, I have left numerous messages with the state Department of Transportation Highways Division Hotline regarding a nonworking street light at the 5th Avenue onramp to H-1 West. It's now April and the light is still out. Why is it taking so long to replace?

Answer: The broken light bulb finally was replaced Thursday, according to DOT spokesman Scott Ishikawa, who said there should be more illumination in other parts of the Kaimuki/Kahala area this week, as well.

Instead of changing one bulb at a time, the DOT tries to schedule replacements and repairs along a general stretch of road at the same time because heavy equipment, such as cherry pickers, are required.

"It's more cost-effective, and we don't have to go back out there just to replace one light," Ishikawa said.

He also said the "mass bulb-changing" entails ordering parts from the mainland, "which can take weeks to be shipped. These are not the bulbs you buy at Longs or Wal-Mart."

Q: What is the strange bump and dip in the road right after you turn from Dole Street onto St. Louis Drive, going makai? It's been there since they worked on the road there months ago. The city doesn't seem to be planning to fix it any time soon, so can you help?

A: The city Department of Environmental Services is responsible for the "trench" that was put in there for a waste-water service line.

We were told the department was "informed that the temporary trench patch is failing."

Call 692-5656 if you do not see any improvement.

Q: Can you find out why a city crew working at the intersection of Hanakahi Street and Fort Weaver Road left the area with bumps as high as 6 inches? This is a safety hazard as well as not being good for the automobiles.

A: The work involves a Board of Water Supply project.

The city Division of Road Maintenance contacted the contractor, Parson Construction Co., which repaired the temporary patch, said division chief Larry Leopardi.

"They said that they'll monitor the trench more closely and make sure that the area is safe," he said. Leopardi said future complaints should be referred to BWS.

Auwe

At about 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 24, my wife and I were in our car and merging off the H-1 freeway onto the Middle Street intersection. Suddenly, a Toyota Camry sped up from behind and abruptly cut in front of us as we approached the intersection to turn into the Marukai Market parking lot. The driver then encroached into oncoming traffic, causing drivers to change lanes. I would like to tell your readers to be careful at the intersection, where one person was killed and another seriously injured a few months ago. I sincerely hope that the driver reviews his unsafe actions and becomes a better driver. -- Concerned Motorist