Work is underway on the final phases of the Komohana Street reconstruction project, which now will extend through mid-January.
Work is underway on the final phases of the Komohana Street reconstruction project, which now will extend through mid-January.
The Hilo road project, which began in October 2015, initially was expected to take four months.
Equipment malfunctions and rain delays — a total of 100 days, according to the county Department of Public Works — delayed work throughout the project’s timeline.
Last year, contractor Yamada &Sons also pulled some equipment offsite to work at two different locations where it was a subcontractor.
Both sites — the Hilo Drag Strip and the Pahoa District Park — are under county Parks and Recreation jurisdiction. The Komohana Street project falls under the county Department of Public Works.
During a Hawaii County Council committee meeting last fall, then-Public Works Director Warren Lee said prioritization of projects is determined by the contractor.
Reached on Thursday, Yamada &Sons directed inquiries about the roadwork to Public Works.
As of Dec. 31, the contractor has paid $107,000 in liquidated damages to the county and continues to pay $1,000 per day for each workday behind schedule.
Yamada &Sons is one of two contractors in East Hawaii that can do paving work.
Construction today and Saturday takes place at Komohana Street and Waianueue Avenue from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The intersection remains open, but only one lane is in use.
A Public Works spokesman said the plan is to ensure Yamada &Sons is not working on Waianuenue when school returns to session Monday.
Beginning Monday and continuing through Jan. 21, reconstruction work is scheduled to move to the mauka half of the intersection of Komohana and Punahele streets. Work hours will be 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
During construction, Punahele Street will have a 24-hour closure to traffic from Komohana to Punawai Street, with only residents allowed to pass through the area.
In an emailed release, the Public Works Department encouraged drivers to use alternate routes during the construction.
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.