Department of Transportation

KONA – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is pleased to announce the substantial completion of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway Intersection Improvements at Kawaihae Road project.

The project, which began construction in March, widened the intersection of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Kawaihae Road to improve safety and allow for addition of a right-turn lane from Queen Kaahumanu Highway onto eastbound Kawaihae Road and a lengthened left-turn storage lane for westbound Kawaihae Road traffic. Safety improvements were also made to the nearby guardrails and culvert. A graphic showing the new configuration of the intersection is available at this link.

“The improvements at the Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Kawaihae Road intersection were designed to improve safety for those traveling on these critical West Hawaii routes and we appreciate the community’s patience as we worked to deliver this project,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen. “The additional storage lanes will allow drivers to take their time and avoid vehicular conflicts when turning onto Kawaihae Road.”

Senate Transportation Committee Chair and area legislator, Senator Lorraine Inouye, provided support for the project. “This was a top-of-mind project for many Kawaihae, Kohala, and Waimea residents. The widening of the intersection and addition of storage lanes should help make these crucial routes safer for people on their daily commutes,” said Sen. Inouye.

Initially HDOT estimated the $1.5 million intersection improvements project would be completed in August 2018, but utility relocations, lane closure restrictions, and lead times for materials resulted in a revised completion target of late 2018.

Punchlist items remain to close out the project but will be worked with minimal disruption to travel lanes and should be completed by Nov. 30, 2018.

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