The state Department of Transportation is planning a new rockfall mitigation project in Laupahoehoe Gulch. ADVERTISING The state Department of Transportation is planning a new rockfall mitigation project in Laupahoehoe Gulch. A draft environmental assessment estimates the project to cost
The state Department of Transportation is planning a new rockfall mitigation project in Laupahoehoe Gulch.
A draft environmental assessment estimates the project to cost $43 million and begin in mid-2019.
The work will include adding new wire mesh panels to prevent rocks and other debris from falling onto Highway 19.
The project is estimated to last two to three years with work pausing for wet weather.
Both lanes of the highway could be closed for a few hours at a time while the work occurs.
According to the EA, baseball- or football-sized rocks fall nearly daily along the cliffs.
Large landslides from steeper slopes occur once or twice a year.
