Administration

LIHUE – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is modifying the late-night convoy schedule for local access via Kuhio Highway (Route 560) to Wainiha and Haena. On May 29, 2018, HDOT announced the addition of a late-night convoy beginning Wednesday, May 30, 2018. After receiving community feedback, the departure times for the convoys have been adjusted to the following:

Monday through Saturday

• 6 a.m. First trip from Waikoko to Wainiha.
• 6:30 a.m. First trip from Wainiha to Waikoko, to include shuttle.
• 8:30 a.m. Waikoko to Wainiha.
• 9 a.m. Wainiha to Waikoko.
• 12 p.m. Waikoko to Wainiha.
• 12:20 p.m. Wainiha to Waikoko, to include shuttle.
• 12:40 p.m. Waikoko to Wainiha, to include shuttle.
• 1 p.m. Wainiha to Waikoko.
• From 5 to 6:30 p.m. local residents will be escorted through the closure on an alternating basis, and the checkpoints will be locked at 7 p.m.
• Beginning Wednesday, May 30, a 10:30 p.m. Wainiha to Waikoko trip will be added. An 11 p.m. Waikoko to Wainiha trip will be the last trip of the day.

Sunday

• Limited local access is available on an alternating basis between the hours of 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• The first trip begins at 7 a.m. from Waikoko to Wainiha. A pilot vehicle will escort placarded vehicles under 10,000 pounds from the checkpoint to the other side of the closure in Wainiha. The pilot vehicle will then escort vehicles from Wainiha to Waikoko and continue on an alternating basis until approximately 6:30 p.m. when the vehicle will lead the last caravan of the day from Wainiha to the Waikoko checkpoint.

As a reminder, the single lane route is available to Wainiha and Haena residents only as well as precleared recovery workers and volunteers. Those without county-issued placards or preclearance from the Kauai Emergency Management Agency will not be allowed through the checkpoints for their safety, the safety of the construction crews, and to avoid additional damage to the roadway. Speed and weight restrictions remain in effect along the 2-mile route; with a speed limit of 5 mph in some areas and 15 mph elsewhere along the single lane and a 10,000-pound (5 ton) weight restriction—excepting emergency response vehicles authorized by HDOT.

Following the completion of safety work, such as guardrail installation and rock scaling, HDOT anticipates allowing limited access without escorts to Kuhio Highway between Waikoko and Wainiha. Weight and speed restrictions will remain in place and a one-lane yield restriction will be placed on the two sites where the lower slope was washed out. The road up to Kee Beach may also be restricted to high clearance vehicles.

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