DOT Closes Big Island Bridge to Large Vehicles

The Department of Transportation, Highways Division has reported that as of 4:30 pm Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 15, the Kolekole Bridge on Highway 19, in the vicinity of mile marker 14, is restricted to vehicles weighing less than four tons. This restriction will be in place until further notice.

Personnel will be at the bridge to alert drivers of the conditions. Use Saddle Road or Highway 11 for your cross-island travel.

Check points for large vehicles to turnaround are located near mile marker 15 at Chin Chuck Road and the 12-mile marker at Banyan Road near Pepe´ekeo. 

The weight reduction will be in effect until further notice and signs advising of restrictions and a lowered speed limit of 25 mph over the bridge will be posted shortly.

Kolekole Bridge at Milepost 14.27 was being monitored due to bridge inspection findings. The weight restriction and lowered speed limit will allow HDOT to continue to permit access to the route for most passenger vehicles, which typically weigh two tons.

Vehicles with a combined weight (including load) over four tons will not be allowed to pass over Kolekole Bridge. This may affect emergency vehicles, buses, tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles towing loads where the combined weight of the vehicle and the load exceeds four tons.

Engineers will be conducting additional analysis to see if the weight restriction can be adjusted or modified. Emergency repairs are being planned for Kolekole Bridge. The estimated timeline for repairs is between three and four months pending availability of construction materials.