A ceremonial blessing was held yesterday in Kōloa to signify the beginning of the Kōloa Road Bridge and Kīpū Bridge project. The Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Kaikor Construction Group, Inc., organized the event to acknowledge the history and future of these key structures. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami emphasized the importance of the ceremony, stating, "It’s unique in Hawai‘i to place so much emphasis at the start of a project because we're honoring everyone who came before and created these opportunities to connect people, communities, and towns for today and tomorrow," as reported by the County of Kaua'i.
The necessity of these upgrades, with a focus on safety and preservation, has led to the project's current budget sitting at $1.9 million. While acknowledging that disruptions are inevitable, Mayor Kawakami expressed a desire to earnestly protect the team's safety in order to ensure "they can return to work and continue providing for their families," in a statement obtained by the County of Kaua'i. Upgrades will include concrete repairs and more for ensuring the bridges stand the test of time while maintaining their historic look. It is significant to mention that the Kīpū Bridge will receive attention sequentially after the Kōloa Bridge is dealt with, a fact highlighted by the County of Kaua'i announcement.
Starting from March 6 up through November 1, motorists will need to navigate around shifting lane closures on weekdays, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Kōloa Road, stretching from Po‘ipū Road to Maluhia Road. Drivers will certainly have to plan ahead, as advised by the announcement, potentially to utilizing alternate routes or by factoring in additional travel time. To avoid causing further wear to Kōloa Bridge, trucks exceeding the bridge's 6-ton weight limit should reroute appropriately.
Changes to the plan may occur due to weather or other factors that could affect the schedule. For clarification or inquiries, individuals can contact Stephen Baginski or Roger Mamuad of Kaikor Construction Group, Inc. at 808-841-3110, or Aidan Smith of the County of Kaua‘i Engineering Division at 808-241-4883, as noted in the press release.
