Thieves leave H-2 in dark for near future
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Copper thieves are forcing the state to restripe lanes and install new reflectors to guide drivers through darkened freeways.
Last week, thieves stole copper wiring that caused lights along four miles of H-2 freeway to go out. Officials estimate that it would cost about $96,000 to replace the wiring.
The Transportation Department is not planning to replace the wiring yet because of the frequency of the thefts.
"The thefts are troubling by themselves," said Honolulu police spokesman Capt. Frank Fujii. "But they are also negatively impacting the public's safety."
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The state will restripe lanes and install new reflectors to guide drivers along freeways darkened because of copper-wire thieves.
There are still no immediate plans to repair the lights flanking H-2 freeway that were recently targeted by thieves, because "when (copper wires) get stolen in a matter of weeks, it makes it really hard," said state Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa.
State crews received a call last week about darkened street lights from the Ka Uka Boulevard onramp toward the H-1/H-2 merge. Crews discovered copper wire pulled from 15 light posts, and wire insulation was left in the area. The wire is estimated to cost the state about $96,000.
"It's becoming very difficult in no man's land, where there are no residential neighborhoods nearby," Ishikawa said. "We can't afford to have staff go out there every day and check."
In December, copper wire was also taken along H-1 freeway west of the Kunia interchange and along H-2 freeway from the Waiawa interchange to Mililani Mauka. State officials have said it could cost about $500,000 to $1 million to fix the lights along either stretch of road.
In lieu of new lights, crews have restriped H-2 and installed new reflectors to aid drivers.
"We're going to do the same thing between Kunia and Maka- kilo," Ishikawa said. "We're also trying to look at other technological options."
Officials have considered solar power but concluded that it would not consistently light the freeways.
"If we had a couple of weeks where we had little sun, it would be really difficult to power the lights," Ishikawa said.
Ishikawa said it is not yet certain whether last weekend's case involves recently replaced copper wiring. Police have opened a first-degree theft case after the state Transportation Department filed a complaint on Monday.
There are no suspects at this time. Police are asking that anyone with information call law enforcement.
"The thefts are troubling by themselves," said Honolulu police spokesman Capt. Frank Fujii. "But they are also negatively impacting the public's safety."
