Question: Several of us who travel via the H-3 freeway, either often or daily, have grave concerns about the tunnels. Whenever it rains, the pavement becomes very, very slick. It’s as if the pavement can’t absorb the oils and other engine fluids, creating a virtual Slip ’n’ Slide. This occurs in both directions. We have personally spun out and know several people who have slammed against the wall, incurring great damage. And we see it happen all the time; just did Feb. 16. We have told everyone we know: Particularly when it’s raining, drive slowly and don’t change lanes in the tunnel. Can the lanes be “roughed up” more to create more traction, or can a street-cleaning machine go through nightly (no, the tunnel would not need to be closed)? Better drainage? Something needs to be done. It is a scary and dangerous situation. Further, because there is no turnaround along the H-3, whenever there is an accident, you are stuck there. I am sure statistics will show that there are more than average of these types of accidents in these tunnels. I hope the state will acknowledge and take action.
Answer: The closure of Pali Highway except for one-way commuter traffic during limited hours is diverting some traffic to the H-3, so you’ve highlighted safety tips for motorists unfamiliar with this trans-Koolau route. We shared your concerns with the state Department of Transportation and received the following response from spokesman Tim Sakahara:
“HDOT periodically pressure-washes the H-3 Freeway in the Harano Tunnels to remove dirt and oils. The concrete pavement in the tunnels requires regular maintenance as it is covered and the sediment is not washed away by the rain. A full overnight closure to clean the tunnel in the Kaneohe-bound lanes of the H-3 was planned for Saturday night (Feb. 23), but had to be postponed due to the Pali Highway closure. We will reschedule the cleaning when possible and in the meantime ask motorists to observe the posted speed limit of 45 mph approaching the tunnels from the Kaneohe side and 55 mph within the tunnel. The previous four years of available data show that the traffic collisions in this stretch (103 between 2011 and 2015) happen most when the roadway is wet and drivers are going too fast for the conditions.”
We followed up, asking how that total (103 accidents) compares with tunnels on other Koolau routes, such as Pali and Likelike highways, but did not receive a response by deadline.
Asked whether any of your suggestions to improve the tunnel surface were necessary or feasible, Sakahara said “the pavement and drainage are in good condition. The majority of the accidents are due to drivers going too fast for the conditions, misjudgment or inattention. Nightly cleaning is not feasible as it would require fully closing a direction of the freeway for safety reasons as crews must make multiple passes at very slow speeds. HDOT strives for zero accidents and urges the public to obey the posted speed limits and drive with caution, particularly when the roadway is wet.”
As for Pali Highway, the DOT expects it will take months for crews to fortify unstable slopes where multiple rockfalls occurred, raining debris on the roadway below.
Mahalo
Feb. 20 was a most beautiful day for us five 1946 Waialua High School graduates on our weekly Wednesday outing. We had lunch at Shige’s saimin restaurant in Wahiawa and were so surprised and blessed that Earl Dahlin of Haleiwa had paid our entire bill. May you be blessed tenfold for this beautiful gesture bestowed upon us 90-year-olds! — L.T.
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