4 bridges on Big Island are deficient
Associated Press
HILO » Four Big Island bridges are classified as "structurally deficient," but the state does not plan to restrict the weight that can be carried on them.
Of the four, Umauma Stream Bridge on the Hawaii Belt Road is in the worst condition because of corrosion of the bridge's steel truss towers, state Transportation Department spokesman Scott Ishikawa said.
The state has not restricted loads on the bridges because there appears to be sufficient redundancy within the structural system to support the present loads traveling over them, Ishikawa told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
"No visual cracks or damage have been observed to justify any shoring of weight restrictions," he said.
Ishikawa said a a consultant was in the process of inspecting the Umauma bridge and repairs will be done immediately.
The other structurally deficient bridges include the Waiaka Stream Bridge, a plantation road overpass, which is closed to the public; and the Niulii Stream Bridge.
Ishikawa said despite the structurally deficient classification, the state isn't concerned about the bridges failing.
Only a few bridges remain on the Big Island that need to be seismically retrofitted. Two bridges on the Akoni Pule Highway are next in line to be retrofitted.