Drivers say, it’s about time.
For years, this is what it looked like, driving on the H-1 in West Oahu.
"Pitch black and not safe," said Pookela Kaapana, Ewa Beach resident.
"I’ve noticed that they’ve been completely off and they’ve never ever been on," said France Howell, Kapolei resident.
"We’ve been waiting for the lights to be on for awhile," said J. Michelle Min, driver.
The wait is over. Crews have fixed the freeway lights between Kapolei and Kunia after copper thieves caused damage to more than three miles of the H-1. In 2009, James Taylor, also known as Freeway Jimmy, was sentenced to 10 years behind bars. Prosecutors said he was the leader of a copper theft ring that stole about 72,000 pounds of copper from the H-1.
"I was thinking it was amazing because it was really nice to see everything and I felt a lot safer," said Elaine Nicholas, Kapolei resident.
"It’s more easier to see," Kaapana said.
Even though the lights are on, the State Department of Transportation is still testing the system. A DOT spokesperson says the job is almost complete.
"I’m thinking that wow it really took that long for the lights to actually come back on," Howell said.
"There was no lights no nothing, and now there is, which is good. It’s about time," Min said.
The DOT says because the lights were badly damaged, they had to obtain funding for the $776,000 dollar project. It also waited for the design and permits. The repairs were also pushed back, to take care of road improvements for APEC. But the DOT says safety is a priority. That’s why crews are also fixing the lights on the H-2 between Waiawa and Wahiawa.
"Should’ve been a lot faster than that, but what are you gonna do?" Kaapana said.
The DOT says if you see any suspicious activity near street lights, you should report it to police.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
