Situation
The scenic 33-mile-long Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway (Highway 19) is one of the Big Island’s most-traveled roadways—by car, bicycle, and on foot. Given an increase in traffic volume over the years, the busiest sections of the two-lane highway could no longer handle the load. Widening the road became a top priority, and needed to become a divided four-lane configuration that could accommodate traffic volumes in excess of those projected for the next two decades.
Solution
Through challenging traffic conditions and multiple project phases, the GBI family of management and skilled craftsmen widened a 5.2-mile stretch of the highway. The project entailed mass excavation of 160,000 CY of hard rock and embankment of 285,000 CY. More than 110,000 tons of asphalt were put down, using state-of-the-art 3D Global Positioning System (GPS) to eliminate the need for traditional string-line layout methods. Our team constructed almost five miles of new waterlines, two miles of new gravity and force main sewer system, and two and a half miles of recycled wastewater line.
GBI installed six signalized intersections and extensive highway lighting. We also established five retaining walls to protect culturally sensitive archaeological sites near the road, and added landscape features of a‘a lava rock and native plants, making culturally sensitive improvements along the full length of the corridor.
Notable
Prior to working on the project site, all new personnel were required to attend a cultural orientation to understand and respect the ‘aina and its history. Archaeological and cultural monitors were assigned to each earth-moving machine throughout the construction process.
The discovery of unknown historic sites required reopening the Section 106 consultation process and evaluation of Section 4(f) avoidance and mitigation. Interests of many different agencies and advocacy groups, including Native Hawaiian organizations and the National Park Service, needed to be agreed upon to minimize harm to the property and stakeholders.
Project Details
Awards
General Contractors Association of Hawaii
Build Hawaii Merit Award 2017
Highway Construction, $1-10 million
General Contractors Association of Hawaii
Build Hawaii, Award of Excellence 2019
Highway Construction, More than $25 million
