Traffic diverted
while bridge built
over Malaekahana Stream

The safer bridge will also provide
flood control when it's done next year

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Traffic has been detoured onto a temporary road while crews construct a new single-span bridge at the Malaekahana Stream on Kamehameha Highway near Kahuku.

The work includes raising the elevation of the road, stream control and relocation of overhead utilities.

Transportation officials said motorists should use extreme caution while driving through the work area, observing all signs and traffic control devices.

Contractor for the $4.1 million project is Okada Trucking Co.

"The public shouldn't be inconvenienced because there is a road that we're diverting traffic onto," said Marilyn Kali, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

She said the project should take about a year.

Flood control will result with better stream flow, she said.

"With a single span, there won't be footings underneath it for the debris to catch up against," Kali said.

When the road is elevated, it will no longer flood out, Kali said.

The longer, wider, safer bridge will have a bike lane and walkway for pedestrians.

The new bridge will be 105 feet long and 55 feet wide. The existing bridge, built in 1937, is 50 feet long.

City Councilman Steve Holmes said in addition to providing better flood control, the new bridge will improve the line of sight of motorists.

People emerging from nearby Adams Road will see cars moving toward the bridge.

From 1994 to 1997, there were eight major accidents and one minor accident at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Adams Road, Holmes said.

With the improvements, bridge abutments will have cushioning to reduce potential for injury if a car hits the bridge.

The first construction phase involved putting down drainage pipes.

Then the temporary road went in over the pipes. With the temporary road in place, workers began tearing down the existing concrete bridge to make way for the new one.

Replacement of Malaekahana Bridge is part of an ongoing program to replace aging bridges around the state, a project assisted with federal funds.

Bridges to be replaced are on a priority list based on safety, age and load factors.