Motorists commuting through Kailua should prepare for minor delays next week, as the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has announced intermittent full closures of Kailua Road at the intersections of Uluʻoa Street and Ulumanu Drive. The interruptions, necessary for the installation of traffic signal mast arms, are part of an ongoing traffic signal project aimed to update the infrastructure of these busy crossroads.
Initially slated for this past Tuesday, the installation effort has been pushed to Monday, Dec. 8, and Tuesday, Dec. 9, due to scheduling conflicts. According to a statement by HDOT, work will take place between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on both days, necessitating full closures of Kailua Road in each direction, but lasting no more than five minutes at a stretch to minimize traffic disruptions.
The project schedule begins with the Honolulu-bound lanes at Ulumanu Drive on Dec. 8, where workers will shut down traffic to secure the mast arm bolts, keeping the right turn onto the street accessible to drivers. The Kailua-bound direction at the same intersection has already seen the installation of its mast arm on Dec. 4.
The following day, crews will shift their focus to the intersection with Uluʻoa Street, applying the same closure protocol for mast arm bolt tightening. However, HDOT warned of potential delays, "due to a recent motor vehicle collision, the newly installed base of the Honolulu-bound mast arm at the intersection of Uluʻoa Street may need to be replaced." If the base is found too damaged, additional work to dismantle and reestablish the base will be organized for a later time.
While the primary installation times are limited to one hour each on Dec. 8 and 9, drivers should also be aware of daily work from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. that could impact the left lane in either direction for curb work along the medians. Remaining tasks in this overall project include the widening of turn pockets, striping, and signage enhancements, removal of a raised crosswalk, and launching the new traffic signal system, with completion expected by January 2026.
