Work might begin on an emergency route from Highway 137 into Pohoiki by next week, although it will be some time before residents are able to use it.
Roy Takemoto, executive assistant to Mayor Harry Kim, said Thursday that a bulldozer is likely to begin work on grading a path across the top of the lava flow near Mackenzie State Recreation Area within “the next day or two.”
Work on the roughly graded path, which would be wide enough to accommodate two lanes of traffic, is expected to last a week.
However, the road initially will only be accessible to county officials as assessments on the conditions inside Pohoiki are carried out.
After assessments are complete — which, between various discussions about water quality, safety and more, will take several weeks at least, Takemoto said — the county might open the route to residents with property in Pohoiki and other members of the public.
Security for the route has not yet been determined, Takemoto said, although he added that it might be a simple gate or require a placard system like the checkpoint to Leilani Estates.