Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: After the new intersection of Kolowaka Street and Fort Weaver Road was put into place, workers dug up the lanes all the way to Renton Road and then repaved them -- in a very poor manner. The road is terrible. Now, I see they are doing the same thing from Renton Road to Old Fort Weaver Road. What are they doing and why? Why is the road worse than before? Are they going to repave it again? Are they finally going to add a third lane all the way down Fort Weaver Road? Also, doesn't construction have to be done by 3 p.m.? One day, it took me an hour to get from H-1 to Renton Road, because construction wasn't done until after 4 p.m. Construction woes are a
pain for Ewa Beach driversQ: I left my house at 5:20 one morning and it took me 25 minutes to go five miles on Fort Weaver Road to reach the H-1. The traffic was backed up solid from stoplight to stoplight, everyone just sitting there as the left-turn lights went through their cycles even though no one was there to turn left. Because they are repaving in a helter-skelter manner, they have turned off the traffic indicators on Renton Road and the next one Ewa at Soda Creek. Because the lights aren't coordinated, there is a traffic backup at all hours day and night, even at 2 a.m.!
Answer: There is some good news and some bad news for Ewa Beach residents, who apparently have been putting up with traffic delays and bumpy roads for quite a while. The good news is that the immediate work is almost over; the bad news is there will be more work, at least through early 2002.
The contractor, Hawaiian Bitumuls Paving & Precast, Inc., was reconstructing the "distressed pavement areas" at various locations, according to the state Department of Transportation, which is responsible for the roads in question.
That part of the project is completed, so workers now "will be paving the final lift of the entire roadway and their working pattern will look more predictable," a Department of Transportation spokeswoman said. Anticipated completion is three weeks -- "weather permitting."
The Transportation Department says it has inspectors monitoring the work and doesn't believe the road is "worse than before," but adds that more repaving will be done.
Bad news: The Department of Transportation underestimated what was needed for the project. So, instead of costing $4.7 million, another $451,000 more has been requested to upgrade the traffic signals.
"The installation of the electrical conduits and pullboxes required to modernize the traffic signals (was) not included in the bid documents," the spokeswoman said. Also, because of public demand, there will be an extension of the left-turn lane at Renton Road to alleviate the traffic congestion on Fort Weaver.
Regarding the traffic lights not being coordinated, the spokeswoman said the microwave sensors were activated back in September "and should be working." But just in case, city workers went out recently "to make any adjustments that may be needed."
Meanwhile, there is an ongoing design project to widen Fort Weaver Road with an additional lane in each direction at Laulaunui Street to Farrington Highway; and 1,000 feet before and after the Aawa Drive, Renton Road, and Geiger Road Intersections. That project is expected to be completed in early 2002.
As for work hours, the contractor is supposed to confine work to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the northbound direction, and 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., southbound.
If you have continuing questions or complaints, the Department of Transportation says to direct them to Edward (the project engineer) or Albert (the resident engineer) at 455-4104.
Mahalo
To the resident on Oneawa Street in Kailua for chopping down that large tree next to the sidewalk and bus stop. It looks much cleaner and safer to walk past there now. -- No Name
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com