Department of Transportation

LIHUE – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has scheduled a full closure of Kaumualii Highway (Route 50) in Eleele for the removal of the Eleele Pedestrian Overpass concrete deck on Sunday, June 21 between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following morning. Traffic traveling through Eleele will be detoured through the nearby shopping center parking lot.

A collision at the pedestrian overpass, which crosses Kaumualii Highway at the Eleele Shopping Center, on Tuesday, June 16, caused significant damage to the structure. After an in-depth inspection by a structural engineer, HDOT decided to remove the bridge deck and its supporting steel beams. This is being done as soon as possible to ensure the safety of motorists traveling beneath the damaged structure.

Motorists traveling through the detour should drive with care and follow directions of traffic control officers.

Replacement of the bridge deck is scheduled for this fall. The Eleele Pedestrian Overpass is currently 14-feet, 10-inches high. The replacement bridge will be 17-feet high. Drivers of overheight and/or overweight vehicles as defined by Hawaii Revised Statute Chapter 291, Sections 34 & 35 are reminded that they must obtain a permit to operate on State Highways.

###