HONOLULU (KHON2) — The State Department of Transportation is moving forward with multiple pedestrian bridge projects aimed at creating safer, more walkable communities. But not without challenges and community concerns.
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Foundation materials at the Ala Moana Bridge abutments and reinforcement of the drainage culvert underneath it are two reasons why the opening of the pedestrian bridge has been delayed.
“There’s also a signal line that was running through that area that really didn’t show up on any maps. We wanted to make sure we didn’t damage that during construction, so we had to redesign a couple of the elements for those pieces,” explained Ed Sniffen, state DOT director.
Savings from the $20 million dollar project contract are being used to cover the cost of the unexpected changes. The DOT is confident that it will be finished in January of next year.
Meanwhile, the Wahiawa Pedestrian Bridge is currently in the pre-design phase that includes determining the conditions in the area where the bridge will be built.