Traffic was snarled Tuesday on Oahu’s Windward side in the wake of Monday’s multiple landslides that closed Pali Highway in both directions.
The closures affected rush hour commuters. Alternative routes include the H-3 freeway and Likelike or Kalanianaole highways, and all were heavily affected by the extra traffic.
On top of it all, a truck overturned in the H-3 freeway’s Harano Tunnel at about noon Tuesday, resulting in the closure of the Kaneohe-bound lanes for several hours.
State officials said the Honolulu-bound direction of Pali Highway is anticipated to be closed completely through Monday, while crews are working to temporarily open the Kailua-bound direction. However, Kailua-bound direction will not reopen to traffic this afternoon as planned due to safety concerns, according to a 12:56 p.m. tweet from DOT.
The state Department of Transportation said that won’t be possible until the debris and damaged portions of Old Pali Road are stabilized or removed.
Pali Highway will stay closed to all, including emergency vehicles. An assessment late Tuesday indicated a portion of Old Pali Road above Pali Highway is shifting and poses additional risk to the highway, DOT said.
The DOT is working on plans for long-term landslide mitigation for the area, according to spokesman Tim Sakahara, who thanked the traveling community for its patience as crews worked to reopen the highway as safely as possible.
“We’ll be going over all the various options,” he said.
Cheryl Padeken of Kaneohe went to a funeral downtown early Tuesday morning. It took more than an hour to get back to the Windward side on Likelike Highway, she said.
She said she planned to leave at least an hour earlier than usual today to get to her work downtown.
Gail Marcus of Kailua said her husband, who works in town, spent about 90 minutes on the bus, which had to take a detour on the H-3. Her son got stuck in traffic on the Likelike. She won’t be heading to town anytime soon with the closures in effect, she said.
Mom Lauren Gainey of Kailua was worried after waiting longer than usual for her son to come home on the school bus from town, but she knew traffic was tied up. For the rest of the week, she said, she will probably drive him to and from school, taking the H-3.
Landslides occurred in two separate areas — one in the Kailua-bound direction after the second tunnel and one between the two tunnels in the Honolulu-bound direction.
Despite sunny weather Monday afternoon, a woman and two children were injured when falling dirt and rocks fell onto their vehicle. Emergency Medical Services transported the 40-year-old woman and two girls, ages 9 and 2, to a hospital.
Upon further inspection, state officials said several large boulders — some as large as a vehicle — are at risk of falling onto the Honolulu-bound lanes. In addition, Old Pali Road was also damaged in the landslide, sending down pieces of concrete. The structure sustained significant cracks and must be secured.
Before the Honolulu-bound direction can be reopened, the DOT said it must stabilize the hillside to prevent additional debris from falling.
Sakahara said there have been slope stabilization and mitigation projects throughout the state, including on Pali and Kalanianaole highways as well as Kuhio Highway on Kauai over the years.
In August a rockfall damaged four vehicles before the tunnel on the town-bound side of Pali Highway during the morning commute, which also resulted in the closure of both sides. The rocks were the size of basketballs, and the state said it would consider the installation of protective fencing.
Pali Highway is also in the midst of a major improvement project following the installation of LED light fixtures. Work on the project will continue, according to Sakahara.
During closures, town-bound traffic will be detoured at Castle Junction, and Kailua-bound traffic will be turned around at Waokanaka Street. In addition, the Pali Lookout will remain closed until further notice, officials said, and hikers should avoid the area.
There will be no bus service on Pali Highway during the closure. Affected routes will be redirected over the H-3. Riders of Routes 55, 56, 57, 57-A and 65 may board at temporary bus stops created at the intersection of Vineyard Boulevard and Pali Highway and the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Halekou Road. Those in Kailua, Kaneohe and downtown may use regular bus stops.
DRIVE AKAMAI
>> Honolulu-bound traffic is detoured at Castle Junction.
>> Kailua-bound traffic is being turned around at Waokanaka Street.
>> In addition, the Pali Lookout will remain closed until further notice. Hikers should avoid the area due to safety concerns and the risk of falling rocks.
>> The H-3 freeway and Likelike and Kalanianaole highways can be used as alternate routes.
>> Motorists are encouraged to check GoAkamai.org or any traffic app they prefer for up-to-the-minute traffic conditions before getting behind the wheel.
Source: HDOT
