Highways

HONOLULU – As part of the H-1 PM Contraflow project, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin repair of an area of longstanding maintenance concern using a proven, pre-cast concrete slab system technology used extensively by other state DOTs to efficiently and cost-effectively repair their highways.  Crews will replace approximately 10,000 square feet of concrete pavement in the eastbound direction of the H-1 Freeway in Aiea over a two-week period starting Monday morning, Mar. 23.

The work area is a 200-foot section of the H-1 Freeway eastbound, located just east of the Aiea Pedestrian Overpass, parallel to Heleconia Place.  The site has been subject to settlement and maintained with asphaltic concrete patching over the life of the freeway (see map/photo).  DOT’s contractor will saw-cut and remove the existing pavement, prepare the underlying sub-grade, and install reinforced concrete slabs, constructed at a site in Pearl City, in approximately 12-foot by 12-foot panels.  The slabs will be leveled, grouted and secured in place using a dowel and grout system.  The installation will allow for a rigid system that can reduce future pavement settlement, be easily installed over a short period of time, and be re-leveled should there be further settlement.

The construction schedule will consist of daytime and overnight lane closures.  Below is the work schedule on the six-lane freeway:

Monday, Mar. 23 – Thursday, Mar. 26 (Prince Kuhio Day)

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Two right lanes closed, four left lanes open

6 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Three right lanes closed, three left lanes open

9 p.m. – 4 a.m. – Four right lanes closed, two left lanes open

Friday, Mar. 27

9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Two right lanes closed, four left lanes open

Monday, Mar. 30 – Thursday, Apr. 2

6 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Three left lanes closed, three right lanes open

9 p.m. – 4 a.m. – Four left lanes closed, two right lanes open

All lanes will remain open on Apr. 3, Good Friday.

 

“Using pre-cast concrete panels will allow this repair work to be completed in two weeks versus the six weeks it would take with traditional concrete methods,” said Ed Sniffen, DOT Highways Division Deputy Director.  “This time-savings is critical to reducing traffic impacts to our motorists and we’ll be monitoring this work to determine other locations where pre-cast installations may provide the greatest benefit to the public.”

Work has been scheduled to minimize impacts to the public.  The University of Hawaii System and many private schools will be on Spring Break during the first week of the project, and closures will begin after morning peak travel times.  The DOT asks motorists to plan ahead using information on the DOT website and at GoAkamai.org.

The cost of this pavement repair portion of the PM Contraflow project will be $1.4 million.  80-percent is paid by the Federal government with 20-percent paid by the State of Hawaii.  Due to the innovative technology being utilized, the Federal government will provide an additional $300,000 for this project through a grant.

A 24/7 hotline has been established to answer questions and take comments from the public at 808-945-1144.

Roadwork updates can also be found by visiting the DOT website at hidot.hawaii.gov.  Motorists can also follow DOT on Facebook and Twitter for information updates.

The photographs below show Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc., crews making the pre-cast concrete panels at a facility in Pearl City.

A video with comparable pre-cast concrete panel work can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/r6rQRD59aYU

Work Zone Location Map

Crews prepare wooden forms and reinforcing bar (rebar) frameworks before the concrete pour begins.

Each form is filled with high-strength concrete around a reinforcing bar (rebar) framework.

These forms measure 12-by-12-feet and dimensions can be adjusted for a custom size necessary for each repair.

Crews thoroughly prepare the concrete to remove bubbles and any imperfections.

The final pre-cast concrete slabs are ready for lifting and placement into the H-1 Freeway road surface.  Use of pre-cast slabs will reduce the time necessary for concrete repairs.

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