Posted on: Tuesday, October 2, 2001

Decision due on Puna access road

Associated Press

HILO, Hawai'i — The administration of Big Island Mayor Harry Kim is reviewing options about what should be done with the private Puna Emergency Access Road.

It would cost an estimated $13.1 million to bring the road up to county standards, Hawai'i County Public Works Director Dennis Lee said Friday.

The alternative would be to spend $450,000 to improve three flood-prone areas of the road that link Highway 130 with Highway Eleven in Kurtistown, Lee said.

Although cheaper, Lee said that option would mean paying an estimated $100,000 per year to clear flood debris and to make post-flood repairs.

Kim requested the calculations before deciding whether to ask the County Council to take over the 8.7-mile road.