Hakalau Stream Bridge project for lead remediation begins Thursday

The lead remediation portion of the Hakalau Stream Bridge rehabilitation project in Hilo will begin Thursday at the bottom of the old bridge, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation.

The work will run daily, Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. However, traffic flow will not be affected.

The scope of work includes testing, removal and disposal of lead-contaminated soil. The lead remediation project is expected to be completed by Aug. 27. This work will be followed with rehabilitation of the bridge that opened in 1953.

The state Department of Transportation commissioned a 30-minute documentary about the history of the Hakalau and Hāmākua Coast bridges.

The documentary was produced and directed by local filmmaker Nāʻālehu Anthony of ʻŌiwi TV. The documentary was screened for participants in Hilo in May and can be viewed on the HDOT YouTube at https://youtu.be/jXI-tshQdqg