The Makakupa’ia Bridge replacement project would last 18 to 24 months. The project’s environmental assessment received a finding of no significant impact by the state Department of Transportation.

Under the proposal, the new bridge would be 49 feet long and about 42 feet wide. It would include two 12-foot-wide traffic lanes and two 8-foot-wide shoulders “for pedestrians and cyclists.” The bridge, which would conform to current state and federal highway and transportation standards, would be built entirely within the highway right-of-way.

Built in 1940, the Makakupa’ia Bridge, about 4 miles east of Kaunakakai, is located at Milepost 3.94 on Kamehameha V Highway, the only thoroughfare between Kaunakakai and Halawa on the south shore of the island. It is about 23-foot-long and 28-foot-wide with two 11-foot lanes, 2-foot shoulders and no designated bike lane.

A January 2010 report said the bridge’s sufficiency rating was “functionally obsolete” and its railings, guardrails and guardrail end treatments needed upgrades.

This aerial image shows the proposed Makakupa‘ia Bridge replacement project in Kawela, Molokai. The state Department of Transportation is proposing an $8.5 million replacement bridge for the existing one, which was built in 1940. Hawaii Department of Transportation photo

During construction, traffic would remain open with a temporary bypass road built on the mauka side; the bypass would be removed after project completion. A contractor staging area would be on the mauka side of the highway, east of the bridge.

For residential parcels on the makai side of the highway, access would be located within the highway right-of-way but outside areas impacted by construction, the report added.

The project’s estimated duration includes construction/removal of the temporary bypass road, demolition of the existing bridge, construction of the new bridge and associated roadwork on approaches to the new bridge. An estimated start date was not included in the report.

Environmental reviews are mandated for the project due to its proposed use of state land and funds.

The information appeared in the state’s Office of Environmental Quality Control’s Aug. 23 publication of The Environmental Notice.

*Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.