Traffic Emergency Zone hearing: H-2 Freeway at Waikakalaua Bridge Joint

HONOLULU - The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) provides notice of its intent to declare a traffic emergency zone on the H-2 Veterans Memorial Freeway at the Waikakalaua Bridge Joint.

The Waikakalaua Bridge expansion joint failed on April 23, 2026 and steel plates have been temporarily welded over the joint. The same joint was replaced in August 2025 following an initial May 2024 failure.

A traffic emergency zone declaration pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statute (HRS) §264-1.5 would allow HDOT to accelerate the joint repair and avoid structural damage to the bridge deck. Repairs involving a single lane closure on the northbound H-2 Freeway between the Mililani Town Interchange and Waikalani Drive are planned nightly between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. from Friday, May 8 to Monday, May 11.

A hearing within 24 hours of the designation is required under HRS §264-1.5. HDOT will be hosting this hearing virtually through Microsoft Teams on Monday, May 4 at 12:30 p.m. The Teams meeting may be accessed here or by dialing into 808-829-4853 with the conference ID 493 231 753#.

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