CAPTAIN COOK — A guide sign that was misdirecting South Kona drivers through a new intersection came down in recent days and new, correct signs are expected to go up in its place.
CAPTAIN COOK — A guide sign that was misdirecting South Kona drivers through a new intersection came down in recent days and new, correct signs are expected to go up in its place.
A county Department of Public Works spokesman said Tuesday new signs that accurately guide drivers in the area were ordered, but it’s unknown when they’ll arrive.
The confusion involves a new Captain Cook intersection that connects Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 11), Napoopoo Road and Mamalahoa Highway Bypass.
Last week, there was only one guide sign for the intersection, which opened earlier this month and connects Highway 11 and Alii Drive in Keauhou.
The sign instructed motorists to continue directly ahead to get to Volcano. Drivers who drive directly through the intersection, however, are sent down Napoopoo Road toward Kealakekua Bay. They need to turn left to stay on Highway 11 toward Volcano.
The sign was left over from before the new intersection was built, when Highway 11 curved to the left and Napoopoo Road rose to meet it at the outside of the bend.
The Public Works spokesman said leaving the sign up was “an oversight,” and new signs were a part of the overall project.
“We’re just awaiting confirmation from the contractor,” said Barett Otani, information and education specialist for Public Works.
Otani said the signs were ordered during the intersection’s development and the county hoped they would arrive before its opening.
Otani provided an overhead map of all the signs planned for installation at the intersection.
The plan calls for directional guide signs on every side of the intersection.
The sign planned to replace the older sign on the southbound approach along Highway 11 will guide motorists toward Keauhou, Captain Cook and Napoopoo.
The plan also includes lane advisory signs for drivers approaching the intersection from each side.
Email Cameron Miculka at cmiculka@westhawaiitoday.com.