Highways

Performs for the island of Hawaii 1) engineering services and field inspections of transportation construction projects in conformance with approved plans and specifications and 2) maintenance, alteration and repair of roads, highways, and related structures.

Office Services

Provides the District Office with fiscal and clerical support services.

Engineering Section

Performs engineering, planning and design services; inspects all construction projects; performs inspection, sampling, and field tests of materials and provides all survey data, stakeout, and reference points required by the highway program; prepares the capital improvement program and the special maintenance program budgets.

Engineering Services Unit

Performs engineering, planning and design services for the highways program; prepares construction plans, specifications and estimates for highway projects; performs advance planning work including alignment studies for corridor selection; negotiates and manages consultant planning and design contracts as required; provides drafting support; prepares capital improvement program budget.

Issues permits for all construction within the highway right-of-way and conducts inspection of the construction to ensure compliance with construction permits; issues permits for overweight and oversize vehicles; conducts special investigations relating to drainage, access restrictions which need some field work, design, and drafting to meet changes in land use and drainage; conducts investigations for litigation and tort claim cases against the State.

Inspection Unit

Conducts field inspection and field engineering services on assigned construction projects and insures conformance with approved plans, specifications and Highways Division procedures; manages construction consultant support services as required.

Survey Units I & II

Establishes, checks, and documents the alignments, positions, and grades required for construction projects; conducts preliminary topographic and location surveys necessary to establish highway alignment and to gather data of existing ground conditions for design; provides survey services required for right-of-way, litigation, research, operations, maintenance, and the repair of highways in accordance with established survey practices.

Material Compliance Unit

Inspects, collects samples of, and tests materials manufactured or produced at central plants and incorporated in construction projects in accordance with approved Highways Division procedures; reviews testing procedures by others and project records for compliance with material sampling, testing and certification requirements.

Maintenance Section

Performs inspection, repair, and alteration and policing functions necessary to preserve existing roadways, structures, traffic control devices, landscaping and other appurtenant highway facilities within an approved maintenance program and budget; operates automotive and equipment service and repair shops.

Equipment Service and Repair Unit

Maintains, services and repairs automotive and construction equipment under the jurisdiction of the Highways Division.

Traffic Services Unit

Fabricates, installs, and maintains traffic signs; maintains, removes and/or installs traffic markings and other aids to users of highway facilities.

Bridge Maintenance Unit

Maintains and repairs major bridge structures on highways under the jurisdiction of the Highways Division.

Highway Maintenance and Landscaping Unit

Performs pavement patching and rehabilitates shoulder areas; maintains and repairs structures and drainage facilities; constructs additions, alterations and improvements to highways as directed; maintains landscaped areas and drainage systems.

Roadside Maintenance Subunits

Performs mechanical roadside mowing; controls weeds by manual and chemical mean; removes litter; plants, prunes, propagates, replants, fertilizes and waters roadside landscape; cleans ditches, slopes and culverts; sweeps streets and intersections; installs, replaces, straightens and cleans traffic signs.

Roadway Maintenance Subunits

Performs patching, resurfacing and rehabilitation work on pavements and shoulders; constructs, maintains and repairs structures and drainage facilities; installs, replaces and repairs guardrails and guideposts; constructs additions, alterations and improvements to highways; cuts, grades and constructs slopes, embankments and roadside areas; cleans, repairs and restores highway after slides, storm damage and accidents.

Contact Person:

Sal Panem, District Engineer 50 Makaala Street Hilo, Hawaii  96720

Phone: (808) 933-8866 FAX:    (808) 933-8869