The Hawaii Department of Transportation said in a recent press release it expects to complete major work for the ongoing Puainako Street resurfacing project by the end of March.
Crews will need to return at a later date, however, to install the traffic signal bulbs and traffic signal back-plates pending material availability, the DOT said.
“The majority of the paving work was done at night between the hours of 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.,” said DOT spokeswoman Shelly Kunishige. “Other tasks, such as shoulder work and manhole adjustments and the remaining work to install striping and improve the traffic signals were and are scheduled during the day from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with consideration for the end-of-school rush.”
Waiakea Intermediate School is on Puainako Street, and Waiakea High School and the University of Hawaii at Hilo are nearby on West Kawili Street, with part of the traffic generated by those schools using Puainako where the resurfacing is taking place.
Hiilawe Construction LLC is the contractor on the project, which has an estimated cost of $4.8 million.
Crews continue to work on installing loop detectors — which are installed beneath the roadway surface to detect the weight of cars for traffic signal changes — plus new traffic signal lights equipped with LED bulbs, traffic signal back-plates that shield the background of the signal to enhance visibility, striping and additional signage.
The work requires a daily single-lane closure on Puainako Street possible in either direction between Kanoelehua Avenue and Komohana Street on weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All work is weather permitting.
According to Kunishige, there have been 48 days work didn’t occur because of rain since the project began in March 2024.
Electronic message boards are posted to notify motorists about closure information. DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution and to follow all traffic control signs through the work zone.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.