State Department of Transportation officials announced today that the left-turn option at Hansen Road at Hana Highway in Kahului, Maui, will be removed as a safety measure.

Over the past five years, officials said, nine major accidents have occurred, with a substantial number being from motorists traveling eastbound on Hana Highway colliding with motorists making a left turn from Hansen Road on to the highway. In an effort to increase safety, the left-turn option will be removed from the Hansen Road intersection, and left-turning motorists will instead be directed to Hookele Street, where there is a signal.

The state will modify the pavement striping and add signage, with work expected to be completed this week. Between 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today through Friday, one Kahului-bound lane of Hana Highway between Haleakala Highway and Hookele Street and a northbound lane of Hansen Road will be closed for the road work.

Motorists are advised to plan for delays and use caution when driving through the work areas as well as after the traffic pattern has changed.