Two-way traffic on Kuhio Highway near Kilauea is expected to be restored March 21 following the completion of repairs to the highway, Kauai County officials said today.

The county opened a detour route along Kolo and Pili roads March 5 after heavy rains washed out part of the foundation of the highway.

Traffic was shifted to the temporary detour route as a precaution following the partial collapse of a 15-foot-diameter culvert running beneath the highway about 1,000 feet east of the Pili Road junction, the county said. 

Following the return of traffic to the original highway route, the temporary detour connector linking Kuhio Highway to Kolo Road will be removed. Erosion damage and highway repairs will continue in the areas adjacent to Kuhio Highway through early May, weather-permitting.

Updated lane closure information for this repair project will be posted at hawaii.gov/dot/highways/roadwork/kauai.