Left-turn restrictions for 2 busy Hilo intersections to start in April

To improve traffic flow in downtown Hilo, the state will establish new left-turn restrictions during peak travel times at two busy intersections to evaluate causes of delays and congestion.

The restrictions will begin April 7 at Pūʻainakō Street and Kīlauea Avenue and Pūʻainakō Street and Kinoʻole Street. Restrictions will continue every day except for Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays.

According to a press release from the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, the restrictions will apply to the left-turn movements from Pūʻainakō Street in both directions turning onto northbound and southbound Kīlauea Avenue and from Pūʻainakō Street in both directions turning onto northbound and southbound Kinoʻole Street from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.

After April 7, traffic will be monitored, and post-implementation traffic counts and travel times will be gathered to determine the effectiveness of the turn restriction at the subject intersections.

Previous evaluations of the two intersections found that left-turn movements during peak hours are a major cause of delays and congestion along Pūʻainakō Street.