The state Department of Transportation’s Highways Division said work will begin in November on a “continuous Green T intersection” on Volcano Highway (Route 11) at Kipimana Street in Keaau, the entrance to Shipman Business Park.
On Aug. 19, Isemoto Contracting Co. Ltd. was awarded the contract for $1,130,493.85 through competitive bid, according to DOT spokeswoman Shelly Kunishige.
The work includes installation of a temporary traffic signal system using a design that will control entrance to and exit from Shipman Business Park on the divided highway while allowing northbound traffic traveling toward Hilo to proceed without stopping. The continuous Green T intersection design involves physically separating the highway’s northbound turning lanes from through-traffic lanes by use of raised curbs with delineators.
The primary purpose is to assist motorists in safely crossing the southbound lanes but improvements at this intersection will also benefit cyclists, pedestrians and marathoners who share the shoulder highway space, DOT said.
“I’m happy that finally something is happening with regards to addressing a dangerous intersection,” said state Sen. Lorraine Inouye, a Hilo Democrat who chairs the transportation committee. “We have seen an increase in activity in the area because of growing community interest in health and fitness. This shows that we can and will design our roadways to benefit the entire community.”
Peggy Farias, president of W.H. Shipman Ltd., is looking forward to the finished project.
“What we’re really looking forward to is just a tremendous improvement to the safety of that intersection and greater accessibility, not only for the people who work in the business park, but also for their customers,” Farias said. “It’s been a concern. There have been a number of accidents in that intersection over the years. And talking to the truck drivers who come in and out of there, it’s very difficult getting in and out of the business park when you’re hauling a large rig. Depending on the traffic and trying to get across two lanes of oncoming traffic when you’re hauling a large load, it can be very dangerous. So we’re really looking forward to the improved accessibility and safety.”
Work on the project is expected to last about six months, weather permitting, Kunishige said. During construction, motorists may experience delays between 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. due to single-lane closures and police-controlled intersection movements.
Motorists are asked to exercise extreme caution in the area and to be aware of variable message boards that will be used to notify motorists of traffic conditions during construction. Future updates can be found online at http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.