Highways

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) will open a single lane of Honolulu-bound (town-bound) Likelike Highway between the H-3 Freeway split and the Wilson Tunnel daily from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13 through Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

Currently both town-bound lanes of Likelike Highway are closed as crews work to replace 25 fractured ceiling rods discovered in a routine inspection. The replacement of the 25 rods is projected to be complete and both lanes reopened by 4:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 20.

There have been emergency repairs to the Wilson Tunnel ceiling rods in 2015 and 2021. A permanent repair project is scheduled to go to bid in mid-2024. HDOT is ordering more than 70 additional rods to install preemptively. The preemptive rod installation and an increased inspection schedule every six months will be implemented to maintain the ceiling until the permanent repairs are completed.

The Pali Highway and H-3 Freeway will be open and are recommended alternative routes. Motorists are urged to check traffic conditions before starting their trips. Electronic message signs have been placed to alert motorists of the planned closure.

Emergency vehicles will be allowed through the closure. TheBus will not be allowed through the closure. The speed limit through the work zone has been reduced to 25 mph.

Pictures of the work zone are linked below and may be used with photo credit to “Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation” or “HDOT”:

https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2023/11/IMG_0627-scaled.jpg – Scaffolding protected by water filled barriers.

https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2023/11/IMG_0362-scaled.jpg – Scaffolding close view.

https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2023/11/IMG_1601-scaled.jpg – View of the rods inside the tunnel ceiling.

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