Road Advisories Begin for Auwahi Wind Farm Construction

Auwahi Wind Farm project groundbreaking. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Road advisories are planned as construction begins on the Auwahi Wind farm project in Upcountry, Maui.

Beginning July 2, Sempra US Gas & Power will implement temporary lane closures along the Pi`ilani Highway in Upcountry Maui near Papaka Road to the wind farm project.

For approximately four weeks, a portion of the highway will intermittently be closed for no more than 20 minutes at a time between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  To minimize traffic delays on these days, some roadwork activities may also take place between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Auwahi Wind Farm project groundbreaking. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Highway improvements being made to accommodate the large semi-trucks that are scheduled to transport “superloads” of wind turbine components to the project site in August.

“We are working with local authorities and stakeholders to safely implement the highway improvements and minimize traffic impacts for those who travel Upcountry,” said Dan Hyatt, construction manager for Sempra US Gas & Power’s Auwahi Wind project.

“We are committed to doing all that we can to keep Maui residents informed as we move forward with all phases of construction,” he said.

Electronic notification boards will also be placed along the road in advance of construction, to alert Maui residents of the upcoming closures.

Residents can also access updated transportation schedules and other project information at SempraUSGP.com/auwahi or by calling the Auwahi Wind project hotline at 1-888-587-2919.

Construction activities began at the site in March.

The project is slated for completion in late 2012.  When done, company officials say the project’s eight wind turbines will generate enough electricity to power about 10,000 Maui homes.

The project is expected to help Hawai’i in reaching its goal of securing 40% of its energy from renewable sources by the year 2030.