WAILUKU — Minimizing environmental and traffic impacts while preserving their character top the priority list for federal and state officials working to restore six of the 43 historic Hana Highway bridges.

The project, which is complex due to the remote, narrow, vegetation-dense Hana thoroughfare, is in its early stages, with actual construction estimated to begin in 2021. However, officials are emphasizing the need for public feedback now to ensure the plan’s success.

“We would like to get as much public information as early as possible,” said Tammy Heffron, regional bridge leader for HDR, the engineering company contracted for the project. “That way we can incorporate it or take it into consideration before design begins.”

This project is a partnership between the state Department of Transportation, which has jurisdiction over Hana Highway, and the Federal Highway Administration’s Central Federal Lands Highway Division, a sector that specializes in sensitive habitats and challenging project areas.

Hana Highway is listed as a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places. Six bridges between Huelo and Hana town were identified in recent years as high priority for improvements due to lower load capacity of 10 tons each and other deficiencies, which are part of a natural aging process for bridges, officials said.

They include the Kailua Stream Bridge at Mile Post 5.9, the Makanali Stream Bridge at Mile Post 8.2, the Puohokamoa Stream Bridge at Mile Post 11, the Kopiliula Stream Bridge at Mile Post 21.7, the Ulaino Stream Bridge at Mile Post 27.9 and the Mokulehua Stream Bridge at Mile Post 28.3.

Bridge replacement and rehab work in East Maui is difficult, the team said during a public meeting Wednesday evening.

With Makanali Stream Bridge, for example, the road is flanked by a tall mountain on one side and an 80-foot cliffside on the other, said Thomas Parker, FHWA-CFLHD project manager. Other bridges sit on native bedrock in streams where flow can impact bridge erosion. Not to mention, equipment delivery poses a logistical challenge, he added.

“We are familiar with the challenges — it’s one of the strengths we bring to the table,” Parker said. “The Hawaiian archipelago has unique environments and conditions, and with that, engineering challenges.”

Meeting testifier Bill Medeiros, administrative assistant to Mayor Michael Victorino and a former Maui County Council member, affirmed that construction in East Maui carries complexity.

“Cement trucks cannot go in loaded; it has to go out dry,” said Medeiros, a Hana native. “Cranes have to be dismantled first.”

Hana Highway bridges were built between 1908 and 1947 using concrete construction and native materials. At the time, they were constructed to last 50 years, engineers said. Currently, bridges are made to last 75 years and to hold about 40 tons.

Project goals include preserving the one-lane nature of the bridges, meeting a load-carrying capacity of 40 tons, providing for a 16-foot wide roadway and providing crash-tested railings for vehicular safety. The goals were outlined during the development of the 2015 Hana Highway, Route 360 Preservation Plan.

Currently, the project is in the environmental compliance and preliminary engineering phase, where public scoping begins.

About 20 people attended a Tuesday meeting at Hana Community Center; fewer than 10 were at Wednesday’s meeting at J. Walter Cameron Center in Wailuku; and eight attended Thursday’s meeting at Keanae Congregational Church, officials said.

Members of the public questioned the traffic impact during construction, wondering whether East Maui communities would have partial access or have to drive the back side through Kaupo and Ulupalakua.

“It’s almost guaranteed that you’d have to do some closures,” Parker said.

However, officials echoed that they are looking at various options to curb vehicular delays.

“We are looking into minimizing traffic impact, possibly precasting elements off-site and bringing it in,” Heffron said. “There are lots of techniques and innovations that come with bridge building.”

She also added that maintaining emergency access is high priority.

East Maui residents expressed a strong desire to maintain the character of the bridges, Parker said. Hana Highway’s bridges are unique due to their concrete rubble masonry abutments, approach walls and railings, according to engineers.

“We heard from Hana community loud and clear,” Parker said. “They want it to maintain character. . . . They also want it done right. They want us to do it right so we can avoid doing it twice.”

The meetings are the first of four waves during the project timeline. The second wave will happen this summer, followed by spring and fall of 2020. Environmental approval is slated for spring 2020. Final design of the selected concept will be determined in early 2021. Construction bids will go out in 2021 and work will follow, according to the project website.

Formed in 2013, the federal and state partnership has completed projects, such as the 2.7-mile Lahaina Bypass 1B-2, from Hokiokio Road to Cut Mountain, and Kealia Pond boardwalk, along with bridge rehab and replacement work on Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii island.

Funding for the Hana bridge project is split with 80 percent coming from federal funds and the remainder from the state.

Also, public feedback now will influence the future of Hana Highway as a whole, officials said Wednesday, since 42 operational bridges of 43 total will eventually need upgrades.

“All of the bridges will eventually need to be replaced,” said Sandy Beazley, HDR engineer. “Part of what we’re discussing tonight will inform decisions down the road.”

The team encouraged public comments through the website, calls, emails and letters.

“Everybody cares about Hana Highway,” Parker said. “It’s not just the people who live along it or use it often, it’s the entire Maui community.”

* Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.

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HAVING A SAY

Learn about the project to restore six of the 43 historic Hana Highway bridges and submit feedback at hanabridgeimprovements.com. Those unable to attend meetings can provide input through the project website or by contacting project manager Thomas Parker at thomas.w.parker@dot.gov or (720) 963-3688.