The state Department of Transportation said Monday intermediate repairs to Kolekole Bridge on Highway 19 north of Hilo “will be completed within three to four months and will restore normal operations on the bridge.”
“This repair will give us the time necessary to finalize environmental permitting and design on the permanent repair and lead remediation for Kolekole Bridge,” DOT said in a statement. “The permanent bridge repair project is estimated at $36 million with a start date of fall 2026.”
According to DOT, a contractor has been selected, but the department didn’t name the contractor.
After engineers ordered the combined vehicle and load limit for the bridge be dropped to 4 tons, emergency repairs finished Sept. 20 allowed for a combined weight of 12 tons, according to the DOT.
The DOT also said permanent repairs are also planned for Wailuku Nanue and Hakalau bridges on Highway 19. Details on planned permanent repairs are:
• Wailuku Bridge: Complete rehabilitation and painting. Construction anticipated in fall 2025. Estimated cost is $30 million.
• Nanue Bridge: Complete rehabilitation and painting. Construction anticipated in fall 2024. Estimated cost is $30 million.
• Hakalau Bridge: Foundation replacement or rehabilitation of columns and trusses, deck rehabilitation, and painting. Construction anticipated in fall 2023. Estimated cost is $60 million.