Kalaniana'ole project ahead of schedule

By Scott Ishikawa
Transportation Writer

Surprisingly good news for East O'ahu drivers: the state is ahead of schedule in its water-main installation project along Kalaniana'ole Highway.

But although the first phase will be finished two months earlier than expected, state transportation officials say that doesn't mean the entire job will be done before its scheduled completion date next summer. Work began in April.

"We can't guarantee the overall work will end earlier because many things could happen along the way," said state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali. "But if the next phase can run as smoothly as the first one did, that would be great news."

In the first phase, an 8-inch water main was installed from 'Ainakoa Avenue to Laukahi Street. Kali said remaining Phase One work includes a lateral connection of the water main to residential streets along Kalaniana'ole Highway.

Phase Two, scheduled to begin on July 16, will involve the installation of a 16-inch water main on the makai side of the highway from Kaimoku Street to West Hind Drive.

"We will break up that second phase of construction into three sections, so the backlog of traffic won't be so great," Kali said. "We're expecting a commuter delay of no more than 4 to 8 minutes."

East O'ahu residents had been bracing for traffic nightmares similar to when the state widened the highway in the early 1990s.

But state officials said the extra highway lanes built during the widening project would create smoother traffic flow around work in the current project.

Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board Chairman Charlie Rodgers said he is happy construction is moving along, but said the main concern remains traffic flow.

"Just keep it moving," Rodgers said. "So far, there has been no problems."