Public can weigh in on state’s intent to declare emergency zone for portion of Hawaiʻi Belt Road in East Hawaiʻi

An online public meeting is planned for 9 a.m. today to allow the public to weigh in on the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation’s intent to declare a traffic emergency zone for a portion of Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Highway 19) in the vicinity of mile post 6.5 near Kapuʻe Stream Bridge in East Hawaiʻi.

The meeting will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. Click here to join to call in to 1-808-829-4853 using conference pin 680 657 723#.

Anyone wanting to comment on the emergency zone designation can do so during the meeting. A traffic emergency zone declaration allows the state to expedite procurement and permitting for improvements to the roadway.

The makai (ocean side) lane of Hawaiʻi Belt Road in Pepeʻekeo is closed in the vicinity of of mile post 6.5 until further notice out of an abundance of caution because of a dip in the road near the Kapuʻe Stream Bridge.

The area closed is from within 100 feet of the bridge on the Hilo side to Mill Road on the Hāmākua side. Traffic in both directions will be maintained by use of alternating traffic control in the remaining lane.

The emergency work is estimated to be finished in December.