Slower traffic ahead

Advertiser Staff

Motorists' patience will be taxed this summer as more than $100 million in roadwork begins on O'ahu.

"Mostly it's just a coincidence that so many projects are starting about the same time," Scott Ishikawa, Department of Transportation spokesman, said. "But maybe it's a good thing because summer is normally a time when the roads are less crowded."

Keo Hamamoto, who spends an hour each way commuting between his home in 'Ewa Beach and work in the Punahou area, said the trip is likely to become even longer as he works his way past the construction on Fort Weaver Road and H-1.

"I guess there's nothing you can do about it except plan for some extra time," Hamamoto said. "I'm glad they're going to do some of the work at night, but I wish they had thought about widening the roads earlier before it got so bad. Now, you cannot do anything."

The state Transportation Department is planning a number of ways — night work, complaint hotlines and contraflow lanes — to minimize backlogs on the projects, all designed to make highways safer and more convenient, Ishikawa said.

"We're asking people to be patient and careful as they make their way through the construction areas," he said.

The work includes major efforts along parts of the H-1, Moanalua Freeway as well as Farrington and Likelike highways. That's being done by design, he said.

"It's no coincidence that most of these projects are happening in Central and Leeward O'ahu. That's where the population is going and that's where they need relief from the congestion," he said.

The projects range from the long-planned, $55 million H-1 widening project near Waimalu to touch-up jobs, like repairing guard rails that have been damaged in accidents.

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Roadwork ahead

Here's a look at the biggest roadwork projects this summer:

1. Farrington Highway: Safety improvements planned for the stretch of highway between Nanakuli and Makaha include new lighting, restriping and a concrete safety barrier in an area that has been the scene of several head-on accidents in the past. Cost: $7.1 million. Expected start: late June.

2. Fort Weaver Road: The first phase of the project will widen the road from four lanes to six between Farrington Highway and the bridge across Honouliuli Stream in an effort to relieve congestion along the heavily traveled route. A second, longer phase of the project running all the way to Geiger Road is expected to begin early next year. Cost: $6.3 million for first phase. Expected start: late June.

3. H-1 Freeway, Waimalu: This long-planned project will widen the 'ewa-bound roadway to six lanes from Kaonohi Street to the Pearl City off-ramp, helping to reduce a long daily bottleneck that occurs before the Waimalu Viaduct. Most of the work on the freeway will be done at night, but some lane closures are expected during non-rush hours during the day. Work in the neighborhood below the freeway will be limited to daytime hours. Estimated cost: $55 million. Expected start: early June.

4. Moanalua Freeway: Crews will repave all six lanes of the freeway between Kalihi Street and Aloha Stadium, using different asphalt mixes. Most of the work will be done at night. Cost: $11 million. Expected start: June.

5. Sand Island Bridge: Crews will replace the deteriorating metal deck on the two town-bound bridge lanes, a move that will require the bridge to be shut for months. That will leave one lane of traffic in each direction on the adjacent concrete bridge for the duration of the work. Expected cost: $5.6 million. Expected start: Early June.

6. Likelike Highway: This year-long project includes work on both sides of the highway and a safety overhaul of the Wilson Tunnels, including repairing leaks, cracks, curbs and ventilation fans and putting down a new concrete roadway in the tunnel. One tunnel will be closed at a time during part of the work. Cost: $13.8 million. Highway work started in March. Expected start of tunnel work: Late August.

7. Lunalilo Freeway: The busy Lunalilo Street on-ramp to the westbound H-1 Freeway will be closed for three months during morning rush hours as part of a demonstration projected aimed at easing a traffic backlog that often stretches to Kaimuki. Cost: $200,000. Expected start: Late August.