View from Atkinson

1. Why is this project needed?
The Kapiolani water and sewer repairs are critical for public health and safety, and the well-being of our community.  The numerous water main and sewer main breaks that we have experienced in recent years are clear indications that our infrastructure is aging and in need of repair.  The sewer main was installed in 1923 and the water main in 1935.Taking care of this now will ensure a safe and reliable water and sewer system for our future.

2. What will we gain from this project?
The new 12" water main is designed for an 80-year service life and the new 36" sewer main is designed for a 50-75-year service life. The project will also include the installation of new manholes, as well as upgrading curb ramps for ADA compliance along the length of the project.

3. What areas will be impacted?
The project limits are Kapiolani Boulevard between Ward Avenue to Kalakaua Avenue; Kamakee Street; Atkinson Drive; and Kalakaua Avenue from Kapiolani Boulevard to the Ala Wai Canal Bridge. (Click here for a detailed map) 

The majority of the work will be done in the roadway. The construction work will be done in phases, meaning that all work will be completed in an area before proceeding with the next phase. The construction contractor will develop a construction schedule, taking into account such factors as peak commuting hours, holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc.) and Hawaii Convention Center and Neal Blaisdell Center events.

4. What work will be done?
The sewer line work involves installing a "cured in place" resin pipe inside a 36-inch sewer main that runs under the center of Kamakee Street and Kapiolani Boulevard, from Kalakaua Avenue to Kamakee Street. The existing main was installed in 1923 and needs repair. Emergency work was done from July to October 2004 on three segments of the main that were in the worst condition. The planned work will restore the rest of the main and will not duplicate the earlier emergency repairs.

The water project involves the installation of new 12-inch mains to replace the existing 70-year-old main under Kapiolani Boulevard. The new mains will be installed using open-trench construction. In addition, a new water main will be installed to replace an existing, aging main along Atkinson Drive.

Accessible curb ramps will be constructed, and once construction has been completed, the affected roadways will be restored and resurfaced.

5. What impacts are expected during construction?
The primary impact associated with construction activities will be traffic delays on Kapiolani Boulevard, Kamakee Street, Atkinson Drive, and portions of Kalakaua and Ward avenues. Motorists should use alternative routes when possible. The Bus and Handivan will continue with normal operation.

Contraflow lanes on Kapiolani Boulevard will be modified -- morning contraflow lanes will end immediately after the McCully Street intersection and there will be no afternoon contraflow lanes installed.

Residents, business owners and commuters in the construction zone will notice the use of bright lights to illuminate the work area. There may also be a temporary disruption to water service when the new water system is placed into service. Affected customers will be notified in advance of the planned water shutoff.

6. How are you minimizing the impact to the public?
Contractors will make every effort to minimize impacts to the public throughout the duration of the project. Innovative technology, including Cured In-Place Pipe, will be used to accomplish our goals. The use of Cured In-Place Pipe to rehabilitate sewer main will help us:

• Reduce trenching requirements
• Reduce traffic disruptions
• Extend the service life of the sewer main
• Contractors will also be using multiple work crews and extended work hours to expedite the completion of the project.
• Contractors will be mitigating noise by:
  • Keeping night work away from residential areas to the extent feasible
  • The use of proper mufflers on all construction equipment
  • The use of quiet, low-noise generators and equipmen.
• Impact on traffic near project areas will be minimized by:
  • Halting construction from the day before Thanksgiving through early January
  • Providing traffic advisories (e.g. locations to avoid, electronic sign boards, etc.)
  • Minimizing the time of access closures (e.g. driveway blockages)
  • Completing one section of road before moving on, as feasible
  • Keeping lane closures to a minimum
  • Performing road restorations work after all trenching is completed

7. Why is the work being done at multiple locations at the same time?
After careful analysis, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and the City's Department of Design and Construction recommended concurrent construction so businesses, residents and commuters wouldn't have to bear the impacts of separate projects being performed one after the other. Concurrency in construction will significantly reduce the duration of the project, as well as construction-related traffic delays and inconveniences.

8. What is a Noise Variance?
A Noise Variance is administered by the State Department of Health and allows for a variance from the State's Community Noise Code. This means that the contractor is allowed to work during night-time hours and weekends to expedite the completion of this project and reduce construction activity during the day, which would result in major traffic disruptions.

9. What kinds of information will I receive?
A public outreach and information program has been implemented and will be maintained for the duration of this project.  The program will include small and large group meetings, door-to-door canvassing in some areas, news conferences and news releases, and regular updates to this Web site and the project hotline.  To receive our newsletters and announcements, please contact us with your name and mailing address.

10. Why must two lanes be closed 24-hours, 7 days a week in certain sections of Kapiolani Boulevard and Kamakee Street?
The "around-the-clock" lane closures allow for the installation and operation of the temporary sewer bypass pumps and equipment. While the existing sewer system is being rehabilitated, the active sewage flow must be transported around these sections. The black plastic pipes located on the roadway surface along its center lanes are carrying the active sewage flow and must remain until completion of the sewer rehabilitation. Due to the 24-hour lane closure, the morning and afternoon contraflow lanes along Kapiolani Boulevard will be modified. Please check Traffic Advisories for more information.

11. My property/vehicle was damaged as a direct result of the construction activity. Who should be notified?
Please call (808) 593-1157 during normal work hour (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). You will be asked to provided pertinent information such as location/date/time of incident; brief description of incident; description of property and damage; owner's name; address; phone number; and insurance provider and policy number.

12. Who can I contact in case of emergency?
Please contact the Kapiolani Water and Sewer System Improvements Project's 24-hour hotline at (808) 587-8032.