Speed to be reduced in 4 areas on Hawai‘i Belt Road

In the next 30 days motorists will see reduced speed limits in four areas on Hawaiʻi Belt Road, also known as Route 19, along the Hāmākua Coast.

The purpose of the speed reduction is to provide a manageable, safe and consistent speed for sections of Hawaiʻi Belt Road that include high-volume pedestrian activity, residential areas and a blind intersection, according to a news release from the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation.

In two areas, the speed limit of 55 mph will be reduced to 45 mph. These areas are between mile markers 9.2 and 9.5, in the vicinity of Old ʻOnomea Road and Kulaʻimano Homestead Road in Pepeʻekeo, and between mile markers 40.9 and 41.9, in the vicinity of Māmane Street and Kahawailiʻiliʻi Stream Bridge, in Honokaʻa.

In two other areas, the speed limit of 45 mph will be reduced to 35 mph. The first area is between mile markers 6.3 and 6.7, in the vicinity of Kapue Bridge and Kōpilimai Road, near Pāpaʻikou. The other area is between mile markers 9.6 and 10.9, in the vicinity of Kulaʻimano Homestead Road and Sugar Mill Road, in Pepeʻekeo.

The new speed limits will be effective when sign installations are complete.

According to the new release, implementing speed management and traffic calming devices can reduce serious traffic injuries and fatalities while ensuring an efficient system.