Q. The lights at night when you drive in and out of the airport have been out since mid-December — not just a few but 75 to 85 percent of them, which seems like a safety hazard. I'm referring to those lights molded into the concrete embankment. I think it's a public safety problem and looks bad, too. What's taking so long to fix them?

A. State Transportation Department spokesman Scott Ishikawa said he's sorry to say that he can't provide a specific date when that will be fixed because the problem is more than just replacing a few bulbs. He said the state is trying to figure out how to replace the entire lighting system in that area. He said they had a similar problem on the H-2 Freeway's Wahiawa off-ramp when thieves kept taking the bulbs and other lighting fixtures.

"The sidelights — while they're aesthetically pleasing — they're susceptible to theft," Ishikawa said. "It is a common problem."

Q. When will the Waimalu overpass H-1 in both townbound and 'ewa-bound directions be repaved? It's really, really bad, with some potholes where you can see the rebar underneath.

A. Ishikawa said crews got most of that patching done in the four right-most lanes going in both directions from H-1 Halawa west-bound to Waipahu off-ramp, and east-bound from Waipahu to the 'Aiea overpass. They are working to schedule another night of lane closures to repair the potholes in the fast lanes going in both directions, he said.

And he said the state plans a more long-term project to repave the viaduct in 2007.

Q. I heard that Pali Highway in Nu'uanu was going to be repaved in a few month but now I see some "construction soon" signs there. What's going on?

A. Ishikawa said the state opted to use a road maintenance contract to repave the bad sections of Pali Highway near Waokanaka. He said that work could begin as soon as next week, weather permitting. But he said the work will have to wait until the roads are dry.

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