AASHTO Journal - FHWA Issues $5M in Emergency Funds to Hawaii DOT

The Federal Highway Administration recently made $5 million in Emergency Relief or ER funds available to the Hawaii Department of Transportation to help alleviate the repair costs of roads and bridges damaged by “Kona Low” storms in March.

[Above photo by Hawaii DOT]

FHWA noted in a statement that funding will go toward repairing a variety of transportation projects as well, including the H-3 Kionaole Road culvert and the Hana Highway MP 10.

The agency said that, beginning March 10, a series of Kona Low storms resulted in severe flooding throughout Hawaii. Roadways, bridges, and other highway infrastructure were flooded because of water and debris throughout the islands. Many roads were not safe for travel and needed reconstruction and permanent reinforcement to restore stability.

FHWA added that additional funds for repairing storm damaged infrastructure in Hawaii will also be supported by the ER program, but through broader nationwide funding allocations.

The agency already issued Hawaii DOT $6 million in ER funding in early September to help the agency repair infrastructure damage caused by Hurricane Lula.

That storm ravaged the Hawaiian Island chain; damaging communities and infrastructure with over 20 inches of rainfall while causing widespread highway closures, mudslides, and debris. Torrential rain from Hurricane Lala also washed out a significant portion of Mamalahoa Highway (also known as Route 11) on the Island of Hawaii south of MP 51.5.

FHWA noted in a separate statement that ER funding will help Hawaii DOT repair and reopen critical roadways affected by the hurricane-driven flooding.

Hawaii DOT noted that it is constructing an emergency temporary access road bypassing the washout location as it rebuilds the washed-out portion of Mamalahoa Highway. By late August, the agency said in a statement that it had completed major roadway repairs to the Mamalahoa Highway and cleared nearly 100,000 pounds of debris during that effort.