Daniel K. Inouye Highway Truck Escape Ramp Completed

Motorists driving along Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as the new Saddle Road, may have noticed a recent addition to the highway, part of a $3.8 million project by the Hawai’i Department of Transportation that includes a truck escape ramp and improved drainage along the roadway.

End portion of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway truck escape ramp. Photo: Jamilia Epping.

The 1,600-foot-long escape ramp was put in place to improve safety for traffic heading west along the stretch of highway at mile markers 49 through 49.3. Trucks who are needing to exit the roadway now have an escape route.

Drainage improvements were conducted between mile markers 43 and 44.

The project began in April 2015.

Additional safety upgrades will be made at the Daniel K. Inouye Highway and Mamalahoa Highway intersection. Improvements in the area will include highway lighting, rumble strips, and signage installations. Weather permitting, these improvements will be completed by December 2015.