Department of Transportation

HILO, Hawai‘i – The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) will be closing a single lane on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (formerly known as Saddle Road) between mile posts 10 and 19 to mill the highway and install Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) to increase the pavement drainage capability and reduce the potential for hydroplaning. This work will begin at 7 a.m. on Monday at mile post 16 and will continue Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During the OGFC work, traffic in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control, or contraflow, in the remaining open lane. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph and a pilot car may be used to ensure the safety of the workers. Crews will work toward Kona, then switch to the Hilo-bound lanes once they reach mile post 19.

When the crews switch to the Hilo-bound side, an assessment of the driving behavior at the construction zone will be made to see if contraflow is still necessary for safety.

Once the OGFC installation is complete between mile posts 16 and 19, crews will sequence to the highway between mile posts 16 and 10. The OGFC installation is expected to be complete in approximately 30 days, weather permitting. Future closures will be added to the weekly lane closure listing at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/

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