The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has reopened Wainiha River Bridge No. 3 on Kūhiō Highway on the North Shore of Kaua‘i to 15-ton traffic after access was weight-limited to 5 tons or below to address erosion damage from Hurricane Lowell.
The state transportation department originally targeted this coming Monday to complete construction of a new abutment, after crews found that earth under the south end of the bridge was washed out by the storm and that the bridge was resting on the existing concrete wall.
But crews were able to complete the concrete pour to strengthen the foundation and pour the new abutment quicker than expected.
During the weight-restriction closure of the bridge, HDOT worked with Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency to coordinate access for emergency vehicles and heavy machinery needed for recovery work by government agencies and community members.
Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation crews pour concrete for the new abutment at Wainiha Bridge No. 3. (Photo Credit: HDOT)- Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation crews pour concrete for the new abutment at Wainiha Bridge No. 3. (Photo Credit: HDOT)
- The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation constructed a new abutment after crews found that earth under the south end of Wainiha River Bridge No. 3 was washed out by Hurricane Lowell and the bridge was resting on the existing concrete wall. (Photo Credit: HDOT)
- The foundation for the new abutment at Wainiha Bridge No. 3 has been poured with concrete and restrengthened, and the scoured-out (erosion) section has been filled. (Photo Credit: HDOT)
- A new abutment is constructed after crews found that earth under the south end of Wainiha River Bridge No 3 was washed out by Hurricane Lowell and the bridge was resting on its concrete wing wall. (Photo Credit: HDOT)
- A new abutment is constructed after crews found that earth under the south end of Wainiha River Bridge No 3 was washed out by Hurricane Lowell and the bridge was resting on its concrete wing wall. (Photo Credit: HDOT)
The emergency work completed during the past week on Wainiha Bridge No. 3 is not expected to be affected by the increased rainfall resulting from the remnants of Tropical Storm Norbert, HDOT said.
Additional work is still ongoing, including installing grouted riprap to protect the bridge abutments and piers. Stream bank stabilization methods also are being implemented to protect against erosion damage in the future.
HDOT also will dispatch a crew to clear rocks that have piled up at the river fork upstream, to allow water to flow again. If weather permits, the work will begin Friday and is expected to take one to two days to complete.
