Kalihi is about to get a crucial new link across the H-1. The temporary pedestrian bridge rising next to the Gulick Avenue overpass is on track to open for public use in August 2026, giving students and neighbors a safe way over the freeway while the aging overpass is torn down and rebuilt. The span will keep people walking and biking connected to Kalihi schools and community spots even as heavy construction ramps up.
Crews have been working nights to wrap up decking, fencing and lighting on the temporary span before it opens. That work comes with weeknight lane closures so workers and cranes can safely handle the big lift and final touches. According to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, the nightly schedule runs roughly 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. and included planned lane closures from July 13 to 15 while crews finished installations from the makai to the mauka abutments.
Why the temporary bridge matters
The new walkway is essentially a construction detour for people instead of cars. It is built to keep pedestrians and bicyclists moving while the Gulick Avenue overpass is demolished and rebuilt, and it protects a heavily used route for students heading to nearby Kalihi Waena Elementary School. Project materials say the temporary bridge will stay in place for the full overpass reconstruction and that Gulick Avenue work will bring lane narrowing, shifts and occasional daytime closures in front of the school, according to H-1 Widening.
How the overpass will change
When the dust settles, drivers may not notice a dramatic makeover, but they will get a little extra breathing room. Officials say the Gulick structure will be raised modestly to improve vertical clearance, about six inches, as crews extend the abutments and fill in the wall above the median. Hawaii News Now reported that the added clearance is part of the work and that the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation scheduled full overnight freeway closures to set the temporary bridge and kick off the overpass construction, with backup dates in case weather spoiled the plan.
Project timeline and finish date
The broader Eastbound H-1 Improvements package, which includes this work, currently carries an estimated completion date of February 2028, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. That timeline is not carved in concrete. Officials note that weather, supply issues and on-the-ground site conditions can all move the schedule, so neighbors are urged to treat published dates as best estimates and to watch official notices for any changes.
Traffic impacts and transit alternatives
Nighttime lane closures will continue while crews finish the temporary span, but transportation officials say the major full-freeway shutdowns are limited to specific overnight lifts. Transit riders should plan ahead when those closures hit. TheBus published detours for routes including 3, 54, the A-line and the E-line during the July 11 full closure, and riders are advised to check current service alerts before heading out.
Where to get updates
For the latest closure maps, detour details and contacts, residents can sign up for lane-closure alerts and keep an eye on official construction updates. Email notifications are available through the state’s GovDelivery system at GovDelivery, and the H-1 Widening project site offers additional maps and resources.
