Reopening of road awaits Round Top study
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer
City repair crews plan to return to Round Top Drive today to evaluate a landslide area that has kept a portion of the road closed for a week.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
The landslide, which occurred during heavy rains last Friday, blocked a hairpin curve in the 2500 block of the scenic roadway, forcing some residents to extend their daily commute and cutting off access to tour companies and others who visit the area for its spectacular views of Honolulu.
City crews have cleared debris that blocked part of Round Top Drive since heavy rains caused a landslide last week, but safety concerns have delayed reopening of the roadway. No residents are being denied access to their homes.
Officials don't know how much longer the road will remain closed or how much it will cost to fix the problem, said Larry Leopardi, director of the city's Department of Facility Maintenance.
"We're still looking at the situation to see if we can use a temporary fix to get the road reopened or whether it will take more extensive work to make it safe," Leopardi said.
Tantalus resident John Steelquist said the shutdown has added as much as 30 minutes to the daily commuting time of some Round Top residents who must take a longer route down the mountain via Tantalus Drive.
The closure has also caused much more traffic than usual on Tantalus Drive, increasing the likelihood of being stuck behind a slow-moving driver, he said.
"It's an irritation, but one of those things you have to put up with when you live up here," Steelquist said.
The problem began during last week's heavy rains when part of the hillside above the switchback washed across the road.
City crews tried to clear the area in the night, but had to abandon their efforts when more mud continued to be washed into their path.
The road was closed for several days, opened for one day, then closed again when the hillside continued to erode.
Guards are posted at either side of the landslide area to turn back sightseers, Leopardi said.
The crews have placed temporary concrete barriers on the side of the road and, even though there hasn't been much rain since the initial landslide, the land continues to erode, Leopardi said.
The landslide area is just below a popular lookout where some people over the years have discarded everything from car parts to bowling balls, Leopardi said. "We've pulled out a lot of debris, but more keeps tumbling down," he said.
City workers will return to the area today to build a curb, put up warning signs and restripe the roadway, all in an effort to make it safe for drivers. Even so, engineers aren't sure the measures will be enough to open the road, which is adjacent to state land controlled by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, he said.
While some residents have been inconvenienced by having to take a longer route to and from work, no homeowners have been denied access to their residences, Leopardi said.
Emergency vehicles also will be allowed to use the area if necessary.
"Luckily, there are two ways to get to the homes. I know some people and tour companies like to make the drive all around, but we're not going to reopen it until it's safe," Leopardi said.
Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.
