Kahekili Highway Resurfacing Project Begins Dec. 16

Kahakuloa, photo by Wendy Osher

By Wendy Osher

Road improvements and related road closures are scheduled to start on Monday, Dec. 16, in the remote Kahakuloa area on Maui, and continue through April 30, 2014, county officials announced.

The project extends along the Kahekili Highway (340) from mile post 13.9 at the Kahakuloa Bridge to mile post 11 near the Wailena Gulch, the announcement said.

The project is expected to cost an estimated $500,000 and reportedly includes the following plans: repair of depressions, potholes, cracking, and roadway deficiencies; highway resurfacing; removal of overhanging vegetation and brush; cleaning and widening shoulders; and paving shoulder swales for better drainage and erosion reduction.

Traffic restrictions outlined by county officials as part of the multi-phase project includes the following:

• During Phase One of the project, which starts on Monday, Wailuku-bound traffic will not be allowed from Kahakuloa Bridge to makai of Kaukini Art Gallery during work hours. Traffic will be able to travel to the gallery from Wailuku until the paving reaches the gallery.  The traffic pattern was determined following discussion with the community during a meeting held earlier this month.
• During Phase Two of the project,  the road will be closed between Wailena Gulch at Nobriga’s corral to east of the gallery. Traffic from the Wailuku direction will not be allowed to continue to Kahakuloa Village during work hours.  Phase Two is scheduled to start when paving reaches the road fronting the Kaukini Art Gallery.

County officials say the project will require “full and alternating-lane road closures,” Mondays through Fridays, excluding holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. during the work period.

The work is made possible through the County’s Paving Preservation program, and is being done by the County Public Works crews, officials said.