The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced the reopening of both lanes of Wailuku Bridge, also known as ‘Singing Bridge’ located on Hawaiʻi Belt Road Route 19 in Hilo between Wai‘ānuenue Avenue and Pukihae Street.

Crews have spent nearly three weeks doing emergency work. During that time additional bridge element degradation was discovered that required an emergency lane closure, and contra-flowed traffic.

The bridge is still posted for 25-ton loading, with a maximum single-axel weight limit of 5 tons. This will allow passenger vehicles, emergency vehicles, and buses to utilize the bridge, with a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour.

Tractor-trailers will be detoured through the county’s Hau and Wainaku Streets. HDOT is coordinating with the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works to ensure the detour route is accessible.

The weight limit, speed limit reduction, and detour route will remain in place until the emergency repairs are completed. The work was initially to be completed by May 5, 2023, but with the new findings, the estimated finish time has been adjusted to late May.

HDOT made repairs to Wailuku Bridge in September 2019 and November 2020. These interim repairs address the safety and reliability of the structure until the completion of the full bridge rehabilitation project, which is planned for the fall of 2026.