Trucks won't halt traffic flow
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KAILUA — The state has received the go-ahead to haul dirt from the Castle Junction rockslide-prevention project to Maunawili, but will route dump trucks to H-3 and Kapa'a Quarry Road instead of crossing Kalaniana'ole Highway traffic as previously planned.
Goodfellow Bros. Inc. will begin preparing the dumpsite next week on Kane'ohe Ranch property and should begin hauling in two weeks, said Art Lambert, O'ahu regional manager for Goodfellow.
Dump trucks will move with the flow of traffic but on the other side of the existing concrete barrier, eliminating contact with traffic and a need for lane closures, Lambert said.
But occasional lane closures may still be needed for cleanups.
"Once we studied it, there was no good way to turn the trucks around at Castle Junction and go back down the highway," he said.
"This really fits with the flow of traffic."
Some Maunawili residents oppose dumping the dirt in their area, saying they are concerned about noise, night work and possible runoff.
Entrance to the dumpsite is across from Kapa'a Quarry Road, where a signal controls traffic and will help minimize disruption by the dump trucks.
The $7.8 million project to scale back the hillside requires the removal of about 240,000 cubic yards of dirt. As many as 300 truckloads a day will make the trip to a valley-like area about 300 feet off Kalaniana'ole Highway.
Goodfellow Bros. officials have said that before the dumping begins, the company will put erosion-control measures in place at the 7-acre dumpsite, including a siltation basin to catch run-off. Dumping will be done in phases, with each phase grassed over before the dumping moves to the next phase.
This week Goodfellow took some 300 loads of dirt to Waimanalo, where a farmer is terracing his land to grow grass, Lambert said. Hydroseed Hawaii obtained the necessary permission for the delivery, he said.
Despite the heavy rain, the project is on track. But it has been extended for about a month because of rain-related factors, Lambert said.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
