GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $90,000 TO HELP DESIGN RETROFIT FOR WAIAWA INTERCHANGE

For Immediate Release:  January 13, 2006

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $90,000 in state funds to design structural improvements for the Waiawa Interchange, which connects the H-1 and H-2 Freeways. These improvements are part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s commitment to improve road safety and “Keep O`ahu On the Move.”

The Waiawa Interchange bridge was built in 1969, prior to current standards, and therefore is not designed to meet the current State and Federal seismic design standards for withstanding an earthquake of severe magnitude.

This project will reinforce the bridge’s superstructure, providing it with the means to remain in service during an earthquake.  It is part of the Highways Division Bridge Seismic Retrofit Program, which was started in 1996 following the severe Northridge earthquake in Los Angeles that severely damaged many bridge structures. 

“Retrofitting measures, such as these improvements to Waiawa Interchange, are needed to protect the structure of our highways should a severe earthquake or other natural disaster strike,” said Governor Lingle.  “Failure to do so could be catastrophic.”

The Division’s first priority in this program focused on the bridges on the Big Island, which is in an Earthquake Zone 4 category (the most severe zone).  Most of these bridges have been retrofitted.

The Division’s current priority includes the bridges on the Interstate System on O`ahu, which are in Zone 2, and which makeup the main highway network on O`ahu. 

The total project cost is $3,450,000.  Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.

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For more information, contact:
Rod Haraga  
Director, Dept. of Transportation  
Phone: 587-2150  

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone:  586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043