Department of Transportation

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) provides the following update on the status of Pali Highway between the tunnels following multiple landslides on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019 and the related fall of a portion of Old Pali Road late Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Following an assessment on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, HDOT determined that it would not be feasible to open the Kailua-bound lanes of the Pali Highway for this afternoon’s commute prior to the stabilization of Old Pali Road. Crews are currently working to remove a section of Old Pali Road that is hanging above the highway.

Once this work is completed and the area is safe for motorists, HDOT plans to contraflow the Honolulu-bound traffic into the Kailua-bound lanes for the weekday morning commute from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. Crews will be monitoring the area during these hours and may close the contraflow if the situation warrants. An update will be released announcing the beginning of the contraflow.

Honolulu-bound motorists will enter the contraflow at the intersection to Saint Stephen’s Diocesan Center and exit at the Nuuanu Pali Drive intersection adjacent to the Nuuanu Reservoir. See contraflow map below.

In an effort to ease the resulting congestion, HDOT and the City’s Department of Facility Maintenance will extend the hours of the Kalanianaole Highway morning HOV contraflow until 9 a.m.

Motorists are encouraged to use the H-3 Freeway, Likelike Highway, and Kalanianaole Highway as alternate routes. Previously planned lane closures have been postponed on the Likelike Highway and H-3 Freeway this week. It is also encouraged to check GoAkamai.org or traffic apps such as Google and Waze for traffic conditions before getting behind the wheel.

A previous news release detailing the landslide and initial assessments can be found here.

To view photos of the area from Feb. 20, 2019 click here. Please courtesy “HDOT” or “Hawaii Department of Transportation” if the photos are published.

 

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