Paving to increase friction on DKI Highway to continue through October

HILO, Hawai'i - The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) updates highway users on the open graded friction course (OGFC) paving and other safety improvements on Daniel K. Inouye Highway (formerly Saddle Road).

As part of the immediate safety improvements being undertaken, HDOT is repaving DKI Highway between mileposts 10 and 22.5 with OGFC, to increase the pavement drainage capability and reduce the potential for hydroplaning.

• Crews are currently working at the 16.5 milepost to install OGFC paving in the uphill direction toward the westside. Paving will continue between milepost 16 to19.5 for another 10 days. Completion is estimated to be in the last week of July 2026.

• Paving at the curve at milepost 22 and milepost 13.5 will take another 10 days. Completion is estimated to be in the third week of August 2026

• Striping from milepost 5.5 to 28 will take another 30 days. This will include installing thermoplastic striping with enhanced glass beading that is more visible especially in wet weather, as well as raised rumble striping. Temporary glass bead paint is being used with raised pavement markers for the interim until the permanent striping is installed. The projected completion date is October 2026.

• HDOT has also installed chevron signs in the curves, as well as other signage, to notify drivers of bends and changes in road direction. Additional signs will be installed.

All work is weather permitting. Paving in wet weather effects bonding, compaction and overall quality of the completed pavement. Due to weather conditions since the start of the OGFC installation, estimated completion has been revised to October 2026.

A traffic emergency zone declaration is in effect, pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §264-1.5 that allows HDOT to accelerate procurement and permitting for additional engineering mitigations.

In addition to the engineering mitigations, the state Department of Law Enforcement will increase enforcement presence along the route to reinforce good driving behaviors.

For information on weekly lane closures go to our website at, https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/hawaii/

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Media contact:

HDOT Public Affairs Office

Phone: 808-587-2160

Email: [email protected]