Motorists on the Big Island should brace for some delays as the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) gears up for rehabilitation work on Hakalau Bridge along Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 19) near mile post 15.3, starting this Thursday. Commuters can expect some disruptions as work is scheduled to take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, according to an announcement by HDOT.
During the four-month project duration, lanes may see closure, and folks driving through should note that the usual speed of 55 mph will drop to a permanent 45 mph—day and night, all week long. Drivers must be alert crossing the bridge; HDOT reports that when it's time to pour the concrete grout, the speed limit will be hitting the brakes even further, down to 25 mph to promote proper curing. This notice will come out as the schedule necessitates.
These measures, while inconvenient, are not just for repairs, but as a preemptive step towards a comprehensive rehabilitation for the aged structure. HDOT is keen to keep the community informed with variable message boards that will be positioned along the road to alert drivers of the ongoing and upcoming changes.
