Full closure of Wailua Plantation Bridge in Kapaʻa scheduled June 3

Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation alerts the public about a full closure scheduled this week for Wailua Plantation Bridge, also known as Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste Memorial Bridge, in Kapaʻa.

The bridge closure is planned for 8 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. June 3 and, if needed, 8 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. June 4, weather permitting.

Parallel beams that support the steel bridge deck of Wailua Plantation Bridge are severed across multiple panels because of extensive corrosion. Affected panels must be replaced by the end of this week for the safety of highway users.

Steel plates will be placed over the affected areas during the closure as a temporary measure until deck panel replacements are completed. Traffic will be directed to the mauka Wailua Bridge, with one lane moving northbound and one southbound.

Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation also hosted an online meeting May 30 to discuss its intent to declare a traffic emergency zone on Kūhiō Highway (Highway 56) for the bridge to allow community members to give their input.

A traffic emergency zone declaration allows the department to expedite procurement and permitting to take action to construct improvements to protect access to the state highway.