Kōloa’s Weliweli Road Closed for Drainage Swale Installation
The Kaua‘i Department of Public Works and contractor Cushnie Construction will fully close a section of Weliweli Road in Kōloa from Nov. 10 through mid-December, weather permitting, to install a drainage swale. The closure will maintain property and business access but restrict parking in the work zone and rely on flaggers to direct traffic, a change that may affect local travel, deliveries and visitor access during the busy fall season.
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Beginning Nov. 10, a portion of Weliweli Road in Kōloa will be fully closed to through traffic while the Department of Public Works and Cushnie Construction install a drainage swale, county officials said in a press release. The work is scheduled to continue through mid-December, subject to weather conditions that may delay the timeline.
County and contractor plans call for maintaining pedestrian and vehicle access to properties and businesses within the closure zone, but parking will not be permitted in the immediate work area. Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic and manage entry to driveways and business lots. Residents and customers should expect intermittent delays and should follow directions from work crews for safe access.
This project is part of routine infrastructure maintenance intended to improve stormwater management. Drainage swales channel runoff away from roadways and private property and can reduce localized flooding during heavy rains. For a community that experiences significant rainfall events and periodic storm impacts, these kinds of upgrades are a preventative measure aimed at protecting public safety and property.
Local impacts are likely to include longer travel times for commuters, altered routes for delivery vehicles, and changes to customer access for Kōloa businesses. The closure may also affect visitor movement in the area; drivers unfamiliar with temporary traffic controls should allow extra time for local trips. Emergency responders generally plan around scheduled road work, but residents with critical or time-sensitive needs should take schedule changes into account and maintain clear access to driveways.
The project underscores the role of the Department of Public Works in managing county transportation and drainage systems and the use of private contractors to execute capital and maintenance work. Clear public communication and timely updates are essential during such closures to minimize disruption; the county’s press release directs questions to Cushnie Construction at 808-332-9000 or james@cushniecci.com and posts project information on kauai.gov.
Residents are advised to monitor county announcements and plan travel accordingly while work is underway. Because the schedule is weather-dependent, dates may shift; staying informed will help households and businesses adapt to temporary changes in access and parking.
