Wailupe school must wait for bridge

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer

'AINA HAINA — A pedestrian bridge that Wailupe Valley Elementary School has sought for years has been delayed again, this time because engineers drew up plans for a structure that city Managing Director Ben Lee said resembles a freeway overpass in structure and price.

The project went out to bid for a concrete bridge, ramps and a playground structure that were all wheelchair-accessible, at the end of last year, Lee said. But the bids were higher than the $605,000 budgeted.

"The bids came in at $697,000," Lee said. "We thought that was exorbitant. We don't need to move tanks on it, just kids."

The project was put on hold, and more than $300,000 set aside for the work lapsed. That means that additional money must be allocated in this year's budget, which is under City Council consideration, Lee said. Once the money is appropriated the city will seek new bids, Lee said.

But the project will go forward, Lee said, though it will cost the city $10,000 more to have the bridge redesigned as a galvanized steel structure.

"We'll build the bridge," Lee said, estimating that it could be done by June 2004.

Since 1963 the school has wanted a simple bridge that would enable students to cross a dry streambed to get to the park for sports and other programs. For years, a lack of money blocked the project. Once the project was adopted in 2001 as the area vision team's No. 1 priority, questions over responsibility for maintaining the bridge and wheelchair-accessibility held up work.

The city Department of Design and Construction is now reprioritizing the project so the bridge is the primary item and if enough money is appropriated, then ramps and play equipment will be included.

"The school is so frustrated at this point," Lee said. "We will build the bridge and hopefully it will come in at less than we have appropriated so we can spend money on the walkway leading to the school and the bridge."

The bridge will enable students to walk from the school to the park without leaving campus and requiring a signed permission slip from parents.

"Even with passes, there is not enough time during recess for the students to walk around the streambed," said Rep. Bertha Leong, R-18th (Kahala, 'Aina Haina, Kuli'ou'ou) before the City Council on Wednesday. "By supporting this project, you will be building a bridge to our community."

Other than a basketball court, the school has no open space for sports. The school is adjacent to a ridge, and its sloping grounds are unsuitable for play areas.

The school's students have been instrumental in keeping the project alive. In 2001, students made a presentation to the community vision team, helping to persuade members to take up the project.

Each time the issue comes up, sixth-grade students write letters and make presentations to the community, said school principal Judy Toguchi. The school has been putting out mailers and keeping the community informed about the project, Toguchi said. "We don't want the city to cancel the project."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.