1-lane access to, from Hanalei starts today

HANALEI — One-lane access is expected to be open to general traffic in and out of Hanalei via Kiuhio Highway today.

A caravan vehicle will lead traffic through the work zone between Princeville and the Hanalei Bridge where state Department of Transportation contractors are clearing a landslide that cut off land access to the North Shore.

Heavy rains triggered a series of small landslides on March 10 and the massive landslide on March 11, covering the highway approaching Hanalei Bridge and cutting off land access to the North Shore.

Since then, state and county crews and contractors have been working to clear the highway and provide relief for people stranded on the other side of the landslide.

DOT crews have installed fencing and other mitigations for loose debris falling onto the roadway, and have completed a ground-monitoring system that will alert DOT if there is any further movement on the slope.

While they continue to monitor the slope and the road above the landslide, crews are also trimming back vegetation and prepping the slope for further stabilization.

Starting today, the highway will be open to single-lane, alternating traffic for passenger cars and light trucks, according to DOT.

A detour for heavy trucks (e.g., those with payloads exceeding ¾ ton such as Ford Super Duty F-350, Ram 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 or larger) has been established via Ka Haku Road, Lei O Papa Road and Hanalei Plantation Road. Heavy trucks will not be allowed at Hanalei Hill until further notice due to concerns with loads on the highway near the landslide.

On Monday, March 29, the DOT contractor will be on a 10-hour workday six days a week.

On Sundays, when there will be no work at the site, so access will be from 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

North Shore access schedule, today to Friday, March 26:

• Morning access: 5:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.;

• Afternoon access: 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day except Wednesdays;

• Wednesday afternoon access: 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.;

• Evening access: 5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Source: The Garden Island