Mauka Wailua River Bridge Closed Morning of Sunday, Nov. 16

Posted on Nov 6, 2025 in Main, News

Lῑhu‘e-bound Traffic will be Directed to Contraflow Lane on the Mayor Bryan Baptiste Memorial Bridge

Aerial view of the Wailua River area showing two parallel bridges carrying traffic across the water. Several vehicles travel in both directions on the mauka (mountain‑side) bridge. Below the bridges, the river flows toward a sandy beach lined with driftwood. Dense green vegetation surrounds the roadway on the opposite bank.

LĪHUʻE, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) notifies road users of a planned full closure of the Wailua River Bridge over Kῡhiō Highway (Route 56) between Kuamo Road and North Leho Drive from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. During the closure of the mauka Wailua River Bridge, Lῑhu‘e/southbound drivers will be detoured to a contraflow lane on the Mayor Bryan Baptiste Bridge, also known as the Plantation Bridge, which will be coned to have one lane going northbound and one southbound.

This closure is necessary for the Wailua Bridge Repair Project. The contractor will be pouring concrete for one of the diaphragms, the structural element that stabilizes Pier 7, under the bridge. HDOT expects approximately 12 remaining mauka bridge closures for  diaphragm pours at Pier 4 and Pier 1, spall repair pours, and paving. The remaining bridge closures will be scheduled at night after the end of seabird fallout season. The Wailua Bridge Repair Project is on schedule for completion in March 2026.

Variable message boards have been posted along Kūhiō Highway to alert road users. To view scheduled Kauaʻi lane closures for the week visit https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/kauai/

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