WAILUA, Kauaʻi — The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced Sunday, Nov. 1, that the mauka Wailua River Bridge will close nightly for approximately one week as crews remove debris lodged against the bridge supports.
The debris, which washed downstream, will take priority over previously scheduled paving work, which has been postponed.
Beginning Sunday night, crews will conduct debris removal from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily, with additional work shifts scheduled for Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Sunday, Nov. 8. The latter is the anticipated completion date.
During the closures, traffic along Kūhiō Highway between Wailua Marina Road and Kuamoʻo Road will be redirected through a modified traffic pattern. The nearby Mayor Bryan Baptiste Memorial Bridge, also known as Plantation Bridge, will accommodate two-way traffic with one lane in each direction.
HDOT said the overnight schedule is intended to minimize disruptions to the southbound contraflow through the Wailua corridor.
Motorists traveling between West Kauaʻi, Līhuʻe and the island’s East and North shores during evening and early morning hours should anticipate possible delays.
Any changes to the closure schedule will be announced through HDOT’s official notices and social media channels.
Source: Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation — Nov. 1, 2026