By Staff Reports
Photo Credit, David Niblack, Imagebase.net.
(Maui)– The County of Maui Department of Public Works, Highways Division, announced that the first phase of work on the Kahekili Highway Resurfacing Project has been completed. Phase Two will begin on today, Jan 6, 2014.
During Phase Two, the road will be closed between Wailena Gulch at Nobriga’s corral, milepost 11, to east of Kaukini gallery, milepost 13.4. Traffic from the Wailuku direction will not be allowed to continue to Kahakuloa Village during work hours. Traffic from Lahaina will be allowed up to the Kaukini Gallery, but not past the gallery. Motorists are asked to obey all signs.
“It’s extremely important that the public understands the safety reasons for the road closures,” said Public Works Director David Goode. “The paving machine is nearly the full width of the existing road, with steep drop-offs and high cliffs the area is famous for. The safety of motorists, bicyclists and our workers is of utmost importance, so we thank everyone in advance for their cooperation and understanding.”
The Phase Two work will involve full road closures Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., excluding County holidays. The work schedule may be impacted by inclement weather; however, crews will work to expedite the project to avoid further traffic disruptions and lane closures.
Work began on December 16, 2013 from milepost 13.9 (Kahakuloa Bridge to milepost 13.4 (Kaukini Gallery). The project, which is expected to be completed by April 30, 2014, runs from milepost 13.9 (Kahakuloa Bridge) to milepost 11 (Wailena Gulch). Work includes repairing roadway deficiencies such as potholes, depressions and cracking; resurfacing Kahekili Highway; cutting/removing overhanging trees/brush/vegetation; cleaning and widening shoulders & pavement where possible; and paving shoulder swales for better drainage and reduction of erosion.
The work is being done by County Public Works crews at an estimated cost of $500,000 through the County’s Paving Preservation program.
The department thanks the public for their patience during the roadway improvements. For more information, contact Raynard Oshiro, Public Works Highways Div. Wailuku District Supervisor, at ph. 270-7443.