MEDIA RELEASE

County crews are working on several projects across the island: 

* A new left turn on to Lindsey Road in Waimea – Resurfacing and marking for a new left turn lane on Mamalahoa Highway fronting Waimea Elementary School to improve the flow of traffic began Tuesday, Dec. 30. The existing walkway on Mamalahoa Highway from Kaomoloa Drive to the school access road is being extended to provide a safe walking path. Improvements are scheduled to be completed in mid-January.

* Waikaalulu Gulch Bridge in Kalopa closes Monday, Jan. 5 for repairs. Only local traffic will be allowed beyond the barricades on Kalopa Road until work is complete Feb. 4. Weather conditions could suspend the work and delay the opening of the bridge. Access to Kalopa Park is via Papalele Road. Residents are asked to use Hoo Kahua Road, Papalele Road or Kaapahu Road.

* Sidewalk improvements in Kainaliu resume Monday, Jan. 5, on the mauka side of Mamalahoa Highway, just beyond Showcase Gallery, then move across the highway. This is part of the $1.5 million improvements package to address the flow of traffic, improve parking and upgrade sidewalks to meet requirements for the American Disabilities Act. Construction is scheduled for completion in April.  

* The proposed Kalopa bypass, an alternate route to the area, will be discussed at the Thursday, Jan. 8 community meeting hosted by Councilman Dominic Yagong.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Paauilo School Cafeteria. Public Works staff will present plans for the new $3.4 million, 4,000-foot road scheduled for construction this year. The Kalopa Sand Gulch Road was closed for a month in 2006 due to earthquake damage forcing 75-100 residents to make lengthy detours to and from their homes.

* Kealakaa Street in North Kona will be closed for five days beginning Thursday, Jan. 8. Roadwork will is scheduled between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and last until Jan. 15  Motorists are asked to use Uluao’a Street.  Workers will be reconstructing 500 feet of pavement starting from the intersection of Kealakaa and Palani Road.  

* New traffic signals at Kinoole and Kamana streets in Hilo will start operating Thursday, Jan. 8. The new traffic signal will have a countdown clock for pedestrians crossing the street.