WAILUA RIVER BRIDGE PERMANENT REPAIRS
AHUPUAA OF WAILUA, DISTRICT (MOKU) OF PUNA, ISLAND OF KAUAI, STATE OF HAWAII
FEDERAL-AID PROJECT NUMBER: ER-23(001)
TAX MAP KEYS: 3-9-002:021; 3-9-002:030; 3-9-002:999; 3-9-004:006; 3 9 006:009; 3 9 006:012; 3-9-006:016; 3-9-006:029; 3-9-006:999; 4-1-004:001; 4-1-004:005; 4-1-004:006; 4-1-004:007; 4 1 004:008; 4-1-004:020; 4-1-004:999

HDOT proposes to extend the life of the bridge and avoid full bridge replacement by replacing the substructure or piers. This would be accomplished by installing 2 (two) drilled shafts at each existing pier. The existing bridge deck would then be lifted and a beam would be placed above the drilled shafts and under the bridge deck to support the deck. The superstructure or deck would remain intact, while new piers would be constructed. Also included in the proposed project is replacing the grouted rubble paving near the bridge abutments, repairing large spalls and cracks in the reinforced concrete members, and adding a curb ramp and upgrading 1 of the 4 guardrail transitions that abut the bridge on the northwest side of the bridge.

In consideration of the dynamic field conditions of this project location, the Contractor may elect to install a temporary trestle bridge adjacent and parallel to the Wailua River Bridge on both sides of the existing bridge. The trestle bridge would consist of 3 rows of 30-inch diameter pipe piles spaced at 15 feet on center parallel to the existing bridge in a checkerboard configuration. Depending on field conditions, this temporary trestle bridge could be used to support the drill rig while installing the permanent drilled shafts.

In addition to the repairs at Wailua River Bridge, HDOT proposes to implement scour countermeasures at Wailua Plantation Bridge. Countermeasures involve placing grout bags around certain piers, filling the gaps at the grout bags with sand, and placing grouted rubble paving near the bridge abutments to prevent the material from migrating.

Please note that the scour countermeasures for the Wailua Plantation Bridge were initially identified as part of the incidental emergency repairs, but are now included within the permanent action. This original repair had to be postponed as the existing piers became concealed by sand due to tidal waters. Given the uncertain time frame and tidal influence that affects when this work may proceed, the grout bag repair work at Wailua Plantation Bridge may exceed the period of applicability for emergency situations for FHWA undertakings in response to the March 2020 floods in Kauai, Hawaii. Therefore, HDOT has decided to include this repair work within the environmental process (including NEPA, Section 7, and Section 106) should the repair work need to be performed beyond the period of applicability for emergency situations for federal aid.

The proposed project is located in Wailua, Kauai. The area of potential effect (APE) consists of the section of Kuhio Highway from Leho Drive to Kuamoo Road. It includes a construction staging and stockpiling area along the Wailua Marina Access Road that is located on the Lihue side of Kuhio Highway, mauka of the highway right-of-way, as shown in the map below. The area of the APE is approximately 11 acres. It includes the length and width of the right-of-way for the identified section of Kuhio Highway right of way, which is roughly 0.7 miles long and up to 240 feet wide. In addition, the APE widens at the Wailua River Bridge approaches, extending up to roughly 600 feet mauka beyond the highway right of way to allow for access and work areas beneath the bridge.

Pursuant to Section 106 of the NHPA, Native Hawaiian Organizations and Native Hawaiian descendants with ancestral, lineal or cultural ties to, cultural and historical property knowledge of and/or concerns for, and cultural or religious attachment to the proposed project area are requested to contact HDOT. Other individuals and organizations with demonstrated legal, economic or historic preservation interest in the undertaking are asked to contact HDOT and share information you may have on historical and cultural sites that you may have knowledge of within the proposed APE. We welcome any information within 30 days of notice.