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By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Cars on Kalanianaole Highway pass the blocked-off entrance
to Waiholo Street, often used to get to Kalani High School.

So far, so good on
Kalanianaole, but things
may slow up tomorrow

Water line work comes first, then
the streets will be resurfaced

Star-Bulletin staff

Traffic continued to move smoothly this morning on Kalanianaole Highway, the second day of a planned two-year project, but it could slow down beginning tomorrow.

One westbound lane of traffic on Kalanianaole Highway between Laukahi Street and Aina Koa Avenue will be closed, beginning tomorrow, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The contractor was given the notice to proceed yesterday.

Contractors will do probing work for the underground water lines, says Gary Choy, acting state highway administrator.

Three intersections will be affected: Laukahi Street, Kalaniiki Street (leading to Kalani High School), and Aina Koa Avenue.

Once work begins next week, two of three westbound lanes of Kalanianaole Highway will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Choy said one of three eastbound lanes will be used as a contraflow lane.

"That will still leave us with two lanes heading west and two lanes going east," Choy said.

The project involves laying 8-inch and 16-inch water lines and will take 18 months.

Once the water lines are in place, the area between Aina Koa Avenue and Laukahi Street will be resurfaced, and that should take another six months.

At issue also is the closure of Waikui and Waiholo streets, which are used by motorists to cross the highway to get to Kalani High School when the contraflow lanes are used and prevent motorists from turning directly into the school from the highway.

Marilyn Kali, state transportation department spokeswoman, said the streets are closed during the construction because of past complaints from the residents.