Auwahi Wind Farm Road Advisory Updates

Auwahi Wind Farm construction. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Road advisories remain in place as part of the ongoing construction of the Auwahi Wind Farm in Upcountry Maui.

Highway improvements are being made to accommodate the large trucks that will be transporting super loads of wind turbine components to the wind farm site in August.

Sempra US Gas & Power reminds motorists of ongoing temporary road closures along the Pi’ilani Highway in Upcountry near mile marker 20.

Throughout the week and on weekends, the highway will be intermittently closed for approximately 30 minutes at at time between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Extended delays are also possible due to unforeseen circumstances.

Electronic notification boards have been placed along the the highway to inform motorists of the closures ahead.

Highway improvements are expected to be complete in early August.

Large trucks carrying construction materials and equipment will continue to traverse the Kula and Pi’ilani Highways Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Construction activities began in March on the Auwahi Wind Farm.  When complete in late 2012, the project’s eight wind turbines will generate enough electricity to power about 10,000 Maui homes.  The project is also expected to help Hawai’i reach its goal of securing 40% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.