HILO — The state Department of Transportation will begin swapping out speed limit signs on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway starting today.
The change will increase the speed limit on portions of the highway, also known as Saddle Road, from 55 to 60 mph.
Department spokesman Tim Sakahara said Monday the sign swap will take “a few days to complete,” weather permitting. He said work is scheduled to take place from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the shoulder lanes starting from the Kona side. It will not cause any disruptions or lane closures.
There are “70-plus signs that need to be changed out,” he said.
“We’re hopeful this will have minimal impact to the public,” Sakahara said.
The speed increase was approved last year in a bill sponsored by state Sen. Lorraine Inouye, D-Hilo. Inouye had originally proposed bumping the speed to 65 mph — higher than any other speed limit in the state.
Inouye said at the time she wanted to help island residents who’ve commonly complained that the road is a “speed trap.”
Law enforcement voiced concerns about raising the speed limit, citing safety issues on the road such as “heavy fog,” “wild animals” and “very steep grades in certain areas.”
Sgt. Robert Pauole of Hawaii Police Department Traffic Services said earlier this year enforcement along the road will remain the same once the new speed limit takes effect.
The 60 mph speed change will begin at mile marker 12. The speed limit at the Pohakuloa Training Area will remain 40 mph, and a stretch of road between mile post 19.57 and 20 will stay 45 mph. A gradual decrease in speed approaching the Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) also will not change.
Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com.