I'm not sure which bridge this is - the old or new Mamalahoa Rd.
Hawaii Belt Road is also called Mamalahoa and in general it follows the HCR railroad alignment which was converted to automobile use in the late 1940's. This is the new one. The old Mamalahoa road is the one that winds it's way down at each river and stream crossing where the former railroad alignment uses tall bridges and trestles.
Before I moved the marker, it was a couple miles out to sea. I moved it to the old Mamalahoa road crossing because that seems to fit the date better. But the NBI length and span info seems to match the new road. But the NBI also lists a steel stringer crossing this stream for Hawaii Belt Rd.
Anyway, I'm guessing this is the one on the old road. And I'm noting it here for future editors.
Looks like seismic upgrades are the excuse for modernizing this old span.
"The wooden deck will be replaced with steel beams and a steel grating deck. Concrete rock anchors and micro-pilings, as well as lateral structural steel bracing members, will be installed to strengthen the deck and bring it up to speed with earthquake code requirements."
-- Big Island Now, July 27th, 2012
http://bigislandnow.com/2012/07/27/work-set-for-reeds-island-bridge-kaiminani-drive/
Here's an odd one!
A through truss railroad bridge build before 1913 has one of it's three spans washed away in a tsunami in 1946. The two remaining spans are moved, and become deck trusses for a highway that uses the railroad alignment.
I found out about this when talking with the nephew of the county highway engineer responsible for the clever reused.
There are probably other bridges along this Hawaii Belt Rd that are actually older than the 1950's date when the highway department took over.
The bridge was closed on Sunday, September 16, 2012 for much needed repairs. Trusses and rivets/bolts have been rusting without proper maintenance and the bridge has become a safety concern.
Traffic was limited to vehicles below 10-tons, removing city bus, construction vehicles and larger truck access; however local police have noted not everyone followed the highly visible advisories set up along Kamehameha Hwy. A decision was made to totally close the bridge to expedite repairs.
The closure has snarled commuter traffic coming from the North Shore, Whitmore Village, and the Naval Communication Base (NCTAMS) in the early morning on Monday, September 17, 2012. Many on their way to work sat in the long, single lane traffic for over an hour without even getting out of Whitmore. Bused students to area schools were late by as much as 2 hours.
Work is expected to take approximately 6 weeks, however local sentiment (this writer admits to being a little biased here) expects it to take much longer. Continuing coverage by local news outlets can be found over the internet.
Bridge is named Karsten Thot Bridge.
Who were the builders of the bridges in Hanalei? I was told that my father built a bridge in Hanalei as a young contractor, which survived tidal waves, where others fell.