Only one lane open on Wailuku Bridge during emergency repairs

During emergency repairs on Wailuku Bridge in Hilo, crews found more problems, resulting on Saturday of the immediate closure of the makai lane (Hilo-bound).

The bridge now is posted for 25-ton loading, with a maximum single-axel weight limit of 5 tons. This allows for passenger vehicles, emergency vehicles and busses to utilize the bridge under alternating single-lane traffic, with a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour.  

Tractor-trailers will be detoured through the county’s Hau and Wainaku Streets. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is coordinating with the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works to ensure the detour route is accessible.

Wailuku Bridge, also known as “Singing Bridge,” is located on Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 19) between Wai‘ānuenue Avenue and Pukihae Street.

The weight limit, speed limit reduction, and detour route began on April 20 and will remain in place until the emergency repairs are completed. The work was initially to be completed by May 5, 2023, but with the new findings of additional element degradation, the estimated finish time is now late May. 

The department of transportation made repairs to Wailuku Bridge in September 2019 and November 2020. These interim repairs address the safety and reliability of the structure until the full bridge rehabilitation project, which is planned for the fall of 2026, is completed.