Posted at 2:52 p.m., Thursday, December 20, 2007
Round Top Drive reopens after 20-month closure
Advertiser Staff
Round Top Drive reopened this afternoon after being closed for repairs since April 2006.Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced the reopening at a news conference on Round Top today.
"I want to say to the community how much we appreciate their patience and understanding," he said.
The road was closed after heavy rain and flooding washed out and weakened some sections. Dozens of residents who live above the closure have been forced to take the long way around the mountain — via Tantalus Drive — adding up to 25 minutes to their commute.
Emergency vehicles have also had to go the long way. And when Tantalus Drive is closed — because of a downed tree or car accident — residents can get stuck for hours on the road.
Jim Shon, president of the Friends of Tantalus, was pleased at the reopening.
"It's a sigh of relief, obviously," said Shon.
The closure "not only inconvenienced people, it's made them very nervous in case there's an emergency."
