Waialua Beach Road Bridge anticipates faster reopening

The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services (DTS), and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), announce the preliminary designs for Bridge 605, Waialua Beach Road Ki‘iki‘i Stream Crossing, have been completed and on track for an expedited completion of repairs. Under normal circumstances, repairs to correct damage of this magnitude can take 1 – 2 years. However, the City is expediting design, permitting, coordination with the US Army Corps of Engineers and construction to decrease the bridges closure to 6 – 9 months.

“The City understands the impacts the bridge closure has to travelers, which is why we are working as fast as possible on the repair process in order to reopen the Waialua Bridge for the public,” said Director Alex Kozlov, Department of Design and Construction. “Until then we will continue looking for ways to ease the traffic conditions through the area while the bridge remains closed for safety reasons.”

To address safety concerns due to increased traffic volumes in the area, the State Department of Transportation has converted the intersection of Farrington Highway and Kaukonahua Road (Thompson Corner), to an all-way stop. Stop signs, stop bars, and a four-way flashing beacon have been installed. For additional information on the intersection improvements, please click here: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/updates-on-thompson-corner-all-way-stop-complete-farrington-highway-and-kaukonahua-road-can-be-viewed-on-goakamai.

A new traffic camera has been installed at the intersection which allows the public to see current traffic conditions. The camera can be viewed at www.GoAkamai.org or by downloading the GoAkamai app on mobile devices.

The bridge, located on Waialua Beach Road between Goodale Avenue to the west and Haleʻiwa Road to the east, is anticipated remain closed until fall 2021.

The City would like to remind everyone that the Waialua bridge is closed to all vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles. Loitering and fishing on the bridge is also prohibited. Emergency vehicles will be able to respond to emergencies using the detours.

In response to the flash flood emergency on March 9, 2021 that required the evacuation of Haleiwa town, underwater inspections were conducted on City bridges in the area. Severe undermining was found below the west abutment foundation at Waialua Beach Road Bridge. Approximately 30 feet of the abutment foundation was exposed, with the undermining extending horizontally up to 4 feet under the pile cap. With the area below the pile cap exposed, it was discovered that the ends of the wood piles supporting the front of the pile cap were missing and may have been damaged during the flood event and washed away. With no connection to the front row of piles, the abutment foundation was determined to be unstable and unsafe for commuter travel. Additional scouring may be detrimental to the back row of piles, removing all support at the west end of the bridge. The lack of structural support required the immediate closure of this bridge for public safety. 

Commuters traveling between the west end of Waialua Beach Road and Haleʻiwa must continue to use Goodale Avenue, Farrington Highway, Kaukonahua Road, and Weed Circle. Bridge, road closure and detour signs are posted, and barriers are placed at both sides of the bridge and at points of the road closure. Variable messaging signs are also placed to assist with detouring around the affected area. Please plan extra travel time between Waialua and Haleʻiwa.

TheBus Routes 76 and 83 will travel to Waialua on regular route, then travel via the detour route to continue on Haleʻiwa Road.  Two bus stops on Waialua Beach Road eastbound will be temporarily closed: #2202 Waialua Beach Road & Goodale Avenue, and #2203 Waialua Beach Road opposite Haleʻiwa Road; please see attached map.

For students and parents of Waialua Elementary commuting from the east, please use the detour via Goodale Avenue to access the school via Waialua Beach Road eastbound. Only residents who live on Waialua Beach Road between the east side of the bridge and Haleʻiwa Road are permitted to drive beyond the posted road closure signs to access their residences.

The City wants to remind travelers to follow the rules of the road and obey all traffic signals and signage. Please travel with extreme caution and aloha.