Kahoma Stream Bridge Topping Off –
Significant Milestone for
Honoapiilani Highway Realignment
Lahaina, Maui. State
Representative Angus McKelvey issued a statement on the topping off ceremony
held today at the Kahoma Stream Bridge.
Kahoma Stream Bridge
"The topping off of the bridge is a major milestone for
improving traffic and road conditions for the residents of West Maui,"
said Rep. McKelvey. "I am proud of
the work by our legislative team to secure funding for the Honoapiilani Highway
Realignment project, and thank our governor and transportation department for
releasing the funds and starting the critical construction phase. We are working together to get the job
done."
The Honoapiilani Highway Realignment, popularly known as the
"Lahaina Bypass Road", spans nearly a mile between Lahainaluna road
and the Keawe Street extension. Once
completed, it will provide residents with an alternative route to go around
Lahaina town and avoid congestion. This
first phase is expected to be completed by the end of next month, December of
2012.
The reconstructed Kahoma Stream Bridge will showcase a new
design with a low profile, minimizing the obstruction of views along the scenic
drive. It also eliminates the need for
pillars below the bridge, leaving the stream itself unobstructed.
State Department of Transportation Director Glenn Okimoto
gave opening remarks and Governor Neil Abercrombie and Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa
provided remarks on behalf of the state and the county respectively. Attendees also heard from Bob Pure, President
of the Board of Directors for Lahaina Bypass Now, and William Wilson, President
of Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc.
In addition to Rep. McKelvey, the legislature was represented by Senator
Rosalyn Baker for the state senate.
"This is a significant milestone in the construction of
the first phase of the Lahaina bypass road,” commented Sen. Roz Baker (D-West
and South Maui). "I congratulate Wilson Okamoto Corp. for the
fantastic, award-winning bridge design which preserves the gorgeous views from
the roadway, is less intrusive on the landscape and preserves the functionality
of the Kahoma stream channel. Mahalo to Hawaiian Dredging, the
subcontractors, and Hawaii DOT for working with the West Maui community to move
this project forward. We all look forward to opening the first phases of
the long awaited road improvement later year and next January.”
"The completion of this bridge represents the begining
of the materialization of the Lahaina Bypass and for the community, a
realization of a long-awaited need." said McKelvey, who explained that the
bypass will not only give residents a more convenient way to access the homes
and schools in the area but also serve as a much-needed emergency evacuation
route if the main road be blocked by fire or other disaster."
The General Contractor of the Honoapiilani Highway
Realignment project is Hawaiian Dredging and the estimated design and
construction cost is $24.3 million. The
blessing was provided by Reverend Earl Kukahiko.
