The Hawaii County Department of Public Works will begin work Monday to restore an area of Cemetery Road covered by lava in 2013.
On Oct. 25, 2014, lava associated with the Puu Oo eruption crossed the portion of Cemetery Road that extends to Apaa Street, near the Pahoa Transfer Station. After assessing ingress and egress for the area, including the Kaohe Homesteads subdivision, restoring the functionality of Cemetery Road is in the best interest of public safety.
Work will involve removing the new lava to original grades and then paving the 500-foot stretch of roadway. The project is expected to take approximately 40 days to complete, weather and construction conditions permitting.
Seventy-five percent of the $150,000 project cost will be funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Motorists are advised to use caution because heavy trucks and equipment will be utilizing Cemetery Road and Apaa Street. Cemetery Road will be closed as a through street for the duration of the project.