Manhole covers along curb will be put back over holes

Question: Several months ago streets in Hawaii Kai were repaved. Many of the manhole covers were removed and left on the curb, replaced by new covers. We now have many manhole covers lined up and down streets such as Lunalilo Home Road. If the manhole covers are still useful, why weren’t they put back to cover the same manholes? If they aren’t useful, why have they been left on the curb for numerous months?

Answer: We’re told the old manhole covers will be put back into the street once the project is completed.

The city’s paving contractor is responsible for restoring the frame and covers over the manholes, said Mark Yonamine, acting director of the city Department of Design and Construction.

"The paving, restoration of frame and covers, and re-striping of travel lanes all must be completed within the contract period," he said.

The final completion date has not yet been determined because there was some change in the work order, he said. The original completion date was this month.

Regarding placing the old covers on the sidewalk: "It is typical for the contractor to remove the frame and cover and temporarily place it along the curb so it’s not in the way of the paving," Yonamine said.

The contractor then will reuse the frame and cover, making sure that they go back to the correct manhole — that is, sewer frame and cover on a sewer manhole; drain frame and cover on a drain manhole.

Question: I moved here from Massachusetts in November. I had to take a written test to get a Hawaii driver’s license. There was a section about road signs. If I’m supposed to read these signs to know what’s happening on the roads, why aren’t they current? In Kapolei there is a sign on the H-1 Freeway, eastbound, stating, "Slope Improvement starting July 2008." On the H-1 westbound there are at least two signs that say work is starting in 2010 and 2012. Are these jobs really not complete? I do know there are others, as I have been driving all over the island since I came here to this beautiful place. Whose responsibility is it to take down these outdated signs? Taking my eyes off the road to read signs is dangerous enough when it’s current work, but with outdated signs it is an unnecessary danger for all drivers.

Answer: Hard to believe, but even the work that began in 2008 is not fully completed, according to the state Department of Transportation.

And that’s why what looks like an outdated sign might sometimes remain up for years, a spokeswoman said. They remain posted to alert motorists that future lane closures in the area may be necessary.

The spokeswoman explained that the signs include not only the project start date, but also the construction hours and a reminder to motorists to drive with caution through the work zones.

These construction signs often are not removed immediately because "outstanding work items" must be addressed before the work is accepted by the DOT’s Highways Division as complete, she said.

So, while a project might seem complete to motorists, pending items might not be obvious and can take some time before a contractor can fully address them, she said. Examples include electrical, irrigation or drainage issues, or items that take time to fully develop, such as grass cover or landscaping.

Every item included in the project plans must pass a final inspection before the work can be accepted as completed, she said.

"We will continue to make every effort to ensure that these signs are removed as soon as each project is fully completed," she said.

If anyone has a maintenance issue or complaint, they are advised to report it to the DOT by calling 831-6714 or emailing dotpao@hawaii.gov.

Mahalo

To all the people who came to my aid when I fell in the parking lot of the Kailua Medical Center last month: firemen, Longs Drugs employees, Dr. Steven Lum and his staff, emergency personnel and bystanders. God bless you and all your families. — Florence Hiu

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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.

CORRECTION: Dr. Steven Lum and his staff came to the aid of Florence Hiu. An earlier version of this column and the Wednesday’s print version just credited Lum’s staff. Also, Lum’s name was misspelled.