Comments sought on sewer work

The city is seeking the public's comment on a major sewer upgrade project in Kalihi and Nuuanu that is expected to close off some roads and be noisy.

Kimura International Inc. completed a draft environmental assessment for the city, and the public has until Friday to respond.

The sewer lines in Kalihi and Nuuanu are among the city's oldest -- some estimated to be more than 50 years old. There are numerous spills, and some lines were found to be in violation of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements.

Upon approval of the environmental assessment, the city would begin work on the project's high-priority areas, which need to be upgraded by December 2009 as required by the EPA.

Crews will install temporary bypass sewer lines, similar to those used in Waikiki and Niu Valley, so sewer service will not be disrupted.

Sewer lines in high-priority areas include those running under North King Street and Gulick Avenue, Kamehameha IV Road near School Street, sections of Kuakini Street near Kawananakoa Park and in Pacific Heights.

Work to replace or repair these lines will require open-cut trenching, which is more disruptive and typically takes about one to three weeks.

The report found that there will be temporary noise, air quality and traffic impacts that will shift to different locations of the project. Most of the work can be done with a less invasive technology that will not affect residents or motorists as much.

Send comments to the city's Department of Design and Construction at 650 S. King St., 14th Floor, Honolulu 96813.

Copies also should be sent to the state's Office of Environmental Quality Control at 235 S. Beretania St., Suite 702, Honolulu 96813; and to Kimura International, 1600 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1610, Honolulu 96814.

Copies of the draft environmental assessment are available at Hawaii State Library at Punchbowl and South King streets.

For more information, contact Jay Hamai of the city's Design and Construction Department at 768-8750.