Highways

Work begins on alternate route through private property to connect to Alaili Road; grading and levelling of Chain of Craters evacuation route expected to be complete Saturday, June 2.

 HILO – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is working with the County of Hawaii and Sanfords Service Center Inc. to prepare an alternate emergency route to Highway 130 (Keaau-Pahoa Road). This route would traverse three acres of Sanfords Service Center Inc. property north of Kamaili Road/Opihikao Drive and connect with the county-owned Alaili Road.

“We are grateful to Sanfords Service Center for their kokua in preparing this alternate route for their neighbors in Puna,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay. “This really shows the aloha and community spirit present in Puna as we all work together for those affected by the latest Kilauea eruption.”

Work began on this alternate emergency route May 31, 2018, and is expected to be ready for emergency use tomorrow, Saturday, June 2, 2018. A graphic showing the emergency route is available here. Highway 130 remains open and HDOT and the County of Hawaii continue to monitor temperature and gas levels along this roadway.

Physical preparation of Chain of Craters-Kalapana Road as an evacuation route through Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park should Highway 130 be cut off by lava began Wednesday, May 30, 2018 and is expected to be complete Saturday, June 2, 2018.

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Video and photos of work on Chain of Craters Road available courtesy of Hawaii County/DLNR:

Video link – www.vimeo.com/273048131

Photo album – https://flic.kr/s/aHsmj3sinP