Wailua River Bridge work to begin

LIHU‘E — The state Department of Transportation broke ground Thursday for repair work on the Wailua River Bridge.

The $55.7 million project will get underway in July and should wrap up by the end of 2024. Most funding, $44.6 million, will come from the federal government, while $11.2 million will come from the state.

“This is a critical infrastructure project for Kaua‘i, and it’s the kind of work that Gov. Ige has made a top priority for his administration,” said Jade Butay, director of the state Department of Transportation.

The Wailua River Bridge was constructed in 1945. The 424-foot-long bridge is supported by seven concrete piers, which are in turn supported by timber piles which were driven into the riverbed more than seven decades ago.

The wooden piles will be replaced by reinforced concrete piles, which will stand up much better to the scouring of heavy rains and flooding, according to a press release.

A new pier will also be constructed between the piles to offer support to the existing superstructure.
Source: The Garden Island