Question: After many months the "pavement strengthening" work on the H-1 freeway, eastbound from Kaimuki to Kahala, has now moved to the westbound lanes. However, they did not finish the final smoothing step on the eastbound side, near the Waialae Avenue offramp. The ride is bumpity-bump-bump. Isn’t it only fair to finish this work before impacting the other side? When will work on both sides be completed? (Combination of three complaints.)
Answer: We first explained the $5.64 million "pavement preservation project" to extend the life of Oahu’s first freeway in March, when completion was targeted for November. (See tinyurl.com/86b37uf.)
Work has been delayed for several reasons, among them "permit issues, a change/reduction in allowed work hours, contractor operation issues, rainout days and APEC work shutdown," said Dan Meisenzahl, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
Work on the Koko Head-bound lanes should be completed "within the next several weeks," while work on the Ewa-bound lanes is estimated for completion in June, he said.
Work initially will alternate in both directions, until the Koko Head-bound lanes are completed.
Meisenzahl said the roadway "surface grinding" in the Koko Head-bound lanes was temporarily halted when the contractor needed to obtain "material approvals prior to the grinding." The materials have since been approved.
"During the period of no work in the Koko Head-bound direction, work began in the town-bound direction, keeping production going in order to complete the project as soon as possible," Meisenzahl said.
Regarding coning, he explained that the contractor is required to set up and take down the traffic control according to traffic control and safety standards, "so it does take some time."
Also, the contract work hours do not allow for the complete closure of the freeway.
Question: Regarding the H-1 roadwork in the Kaimuki area, they seem to be spending as much time putting out and taking in cones to control traffic as actually working. Why not just completely close the freeway overnight and get the entire job done in a much shorter time?
Answer: Work is done on weekends and weeknights to minimize the effect on traffic, Meisenzahl said.
Generally, work takes place 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday. Weeknight work is between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., Monday through Wednesday.
But those are just the general hours that the contractor is allowed to work, not specific to what is being done week to week, Meisenzahl said. For weekly updates, check online at hawaii.gov/dot/highways/roadwork.
Based on how the contractor schedules the work, it is done in either the town-bound or Koko Head-bound direction.
"They are not required to complete one side before working on the other," Meisenzahl said. "Also, there are lane closure restrictions that prohibit work during periods such as Thanksgiving weekend and several weeks during Christmas and New Year’s."
AUWE
To whoever took my REI walking staff. I hike twice a week in Makiki Valley, behind the Nature Center. In mid-November I apparently rested my stick against the car while I changed shoes, then drove away. I left my stick behind, but it had my address label affixed to it. Still, someone took it as a freebie. I need it for stability to keep hiking for health. As a senior on a fixed income, replacing this staff has been a costly endeavor. — Edwyna Spiegel
MAHALO
To the kind lady who turned in my black wallet to the Pearlridge Center Uptown Satellite City Hall, and to Jessica at the city hall, for reuniting me with my wallet. The aloha spirit is alive! — Barbara
Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
