Saddle Road Progress

Over the last two years the infamous Saddle Road has slowly been tamed. Last weekend Deb and I drove the newly completed section on the Hilo side for the first time. Yes, I know, it has been open for months, we just don't often have cause drive the Hilo side. I go up and down the Kona side a couple times a week on the way to the summit or to the VIS to volunteer for the evening. We were impressed, a very nice section of roadway, what a contrast to what was there before.

The section from MP35 at Puhakuloa to MP42, phase 6(5), is progressing rapidly, more pavement appearing every day with the grades where it meets the existing roadway nearly complete. Hard to object to the inconvenience of driving slowly through the construction zones when we know there is a big payoff in a few months, seven miles of completely new road to smooth our journey. The progress is noted each time we drive through, nothing but complimentary words for Goodfellow Brothers, the contractor responsible. Quite a contrast to other island road projects that seem to drag on forever.

The improved road had led to a notable increase in traffic, often cross island commuters, the new sections meaning more people were willing to use Saddle for daily journeys. This was often an issue in those areas where the road was still unimproved, more vehicles adding to the dangers. But with the downturn in the economy this traffic has dwindled. Regular Saddle Road drivers reporting notably fewer vehicles, particularly during the early morning hours.

With the last year's paving from the State park at MP35 to Kilohana the only truly bad section remaining is the few miles from Kilohana to Waiki'i, a reminder of the original road that gave Saddle such a reputation. Piece by piece this narrow, crumbling highway has been replaced, one can only wonder what it will be like to have good road all the way from Mamalohoa to Hilo, even if that reality is a long time off as of yet.

Paving progress on the latest section of Saddle Road near MP42