HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-07 State Highwways Preparing Potential Alternate Route in Puna
For Immediate Release: May 7, 2018
18-0199
STATE HIGHWAYS PREPARING POTENTIAL ALTERNATE
ROUTE IN PUNA
HILO – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is working with the County of
Hawaii to prepare an alternative route in Puna should Keaau-Pahoa Road (Highway
130) be cut off by the Kilauea Volcano East Rift Zone Eruption. Highway 130 is closed
between Highway 132 (Pahoa-Kapoho/Kapoho Road) and Old Kalapana Road until
further notice due to road cracking that could be related to potential fissures in the
vicinity of Leilani Estates.
The observed cracking on Highway 130 is located at mile markers 14.4 and 14.6 and
has widened over the weekend. The current northern end of the detour route making
use of Highway 137 (Kalapana-Kapoho/Kaimu Kapoho Road) and Highway 132 is close
to the cracking. To ensure access to the Kalapana and Kaimu areas in the event the
cracking on Highway 130 progresses, HDOT is working with the county to prepare the
unpaved portion of Highway 137 that extends north of Highway 132 to Makuu Drive in
Hawaiian Paradise Park.
“The state is committed to taking the preemptive and protective actions necessary for
the safety and welfare of Puna residents during this eruption of Kilauea,” said Gov.
David Ige. “I will continue to direct our state agencies to support the County of Hawaii as
they work to provide access, information, and shelter to the thousands of residents in
Leilani Estates and the surrounding areas.”
Additional information on the preparation of the potential alternate routes and updates
on the status of Highway 130 will be provided as the situation develops.
Map showing closure and detour as of 5/7/18
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Kilauea-May-2018-Status-HAWAII-
ISLAND-40x32-01.pdf
Photos of the cracking on Highway 130
http://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_0111.jpg
http://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_0113.jpg
http://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_0117.jpg