A pair of long-awaited projects in east Oahu are inching closer to getting done.
But the big one, resurfacing Kalanianaole Highway, will have to wait a little longer.
Frequent East Oahu Drivers will tell you.
"It’s bad enough to beat our cars up," said Darrell Large.
"Certain stretches particularly out in Niu Valley that are really rough and everybody tries to avoid them as much as possible," said Nancy Wilcox.
Kalanianaole Highway is in need of repair.
But before the state can get to work, the city needs to take care of some old business.
A temporary above ground sewer pipe was an eyesore along Kalanianaole Highway back in 2005.
After the permanent sewer line was installed, some temporary pipe remained underground but now needs to be removed.
"Given the economic needs these days and the priorities you would think that a project that isn’t essential might be set aside and they take care of things like the resurfacing of Kalanianaole Highway, said Greg Knudsen of the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board.
"It’s important that we get this done first so we’re not going to be ripping up a brand new highway to do the same work after 2013," said Honolulu City Councilman Stanley Chang.
The city says the state department of transportation told them the pipe needs to be removed from three different intersections underneath Kalanianaole Highway.
“So they’re going to come in and repave Kalanianaole Highway and they will hit our pipes in fairness to them they asked if we could please remove it so that’s what we’re doing right now,” said Lori Kahikina, Director of the City Design and Construction.
Kahikina says the underground pipe at the intersections of Kalanianaole Highway and Puuikena Drive, West Halemaumau Street and Nuiki Circle will be removed.
The city says the $750,000 project is expected to begin in either September or October and take 5 to 6 months to complete.
Work will affect traffic on Kalanianaole Highway in both directions at various times.
“We’re going to ask residents to be patient we’re going to ask them to understand that there are going to be traffic delays, lane closures,” said Chang.
After this project is completed, the state will be able to move forward with plans to resurface the bumpy ride on Kalanianole, currently on target for August 2014.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
