David Y. Ige

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has received the parts and materials needed to complete the emergency repairs inside the Wilson Tunnel on the Likelike Highway. Repair work will begin Saturday, Oct. 17 when crews will begin setting up equipment, laying out hole positions and drilling holes for the anchors. This work will not require any additional lane closures.

Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 9 pm – 4 am both lanes of the Honolulu bound direction of the Likelike Highway will be closed from the H-3 Freeway split through the Wilson Tunnel. The lane closure will be in effect from 9 pm – 4 am every night until the repairs are finished. In an effort to finish as soon as possible the repair work will continue seven days a week. The project is estimated to be complete by Nov. 9.

Work may continue outside of the 9 pm – 4 am hours, however the right lane will remain open for use. Please drive with caution inside the tunnel. The speed limit has been reduced from 35 mph to 25 mph.

The Pali Highway and H-3 Freeway remain open and viable alternatives. Motorists are urged to check traffic conditions before starting their trip.

Damage to eight stainless steel rods which help support the tunnel ceiling was discovered during a routine inspection on Sept. 25, 2015. During an additional inspection, 22 other rods were identified as having some damage. To minimize impacts to motorists travelling toward town from the windward side, HDOT designed a shoring and barrier plan that allowed a single lane through the Honolulu bound tunnel to be opened to commuters.

The cost of the design and repairs is $1.3 million. HDOT thanks the public for its patience as we work to improve the infrastructure.

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