(BIVN) – Details on the status of several Big Island road projects were shared recently by Ed Sniffen, the Deputy Director for the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s Highways Division.

The Hawaii DOT also issed a media release that broke down all the projects of interest to Hawaii County:

• Keaau-Pahoa Road: 4-lane restriping and Shower Drive Intersection Improvements – Work to add a traffic signal at the intersection of Keaau-Pahoa Road (Highway 130) and Shower Drive and the restriping project, which will remove a restricted shoulder lane and add an unrestricted travel lane through restriping from Keaau Town to Shower Drive, will be substantially completed by the beginning of 2018. An update will be sent out at the close of the project to remind Hawaii Island drivers of the changes to the area as well as the reduction of the speed limit to 45 mph (from 55 mph) on Highway 130 between MP 2.3 and 3.7 and between MP 7.4 to 9.9.

• Queen Kaahumanu Widening, Phase 2 – The Queen Kaahumanu Highway Widening Project, Phase 2 to widen the existing two-lane highway to a four-lane divided highway from Kealakehe Parkway to Keahole Airport Access Road is expected to be substantially complete by August 2018. Remaining work on the project includes milling and resurfacing of north bound lanes, pavement extension of the north bound lanes, paving of south bound lanes south of Kealakehe Parkway, construction of swales and median barrier in the south segment, side road transitions, and installation of signage, pavement markings, and landscaping.

• Queen Kaahumanu Highway Intersection Improvements at Kawaihae Road – Bid in December 2017, work expected to begin April 2018. Project will widen the intersection to provide a right-turn lane for northbound Queen Kaahumanu Highway traffic, a right-turn lane for east bound Kawaihae Road traffic, an acceleration lane on Kawaihae Road and lengthening the left-turn lane for west bound Kawaihae Road traffic.

• Hawaii Island rumble strip projects – HDOT to install rumble strips where possible to provide tactile and audible warning for motorists straying from their lane. Planned rumble strip projects for Hawaii Island are:
  
  • Kohala Mountain Road Safety Improvements, MP 7.2 to MP 9.2 – Advertised November 2017, Est. Cost $1-5 Million – Project will add milled rumble strips to centerline and shoulders, high friction surface treatment, pavement markings, signage, and curve ahead signs and beacons
  • Mamalahoa Highway Safety Improvements, MP 3.9 to MP 6.9 – Will advertise December 2017, Est. Cost $1-5 Million – Project will install milled rumble strips in the centerline and shoulders, pavement markings, and signage, and will upgrade guardrails
  • Queen Kaahumanu Highway Rumble Strip Improvements, Mahaiula to Kawaihae – Construction to begin January 2018, estimated completion May 2018 – Work includes installation of centerline rumble strips, new pavement markings and striping to enhance lane visibility and will be conducted in five phases to minimize impact to motorists