Due to emergency repairs, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced a weight and speed limit reduction on Wailuku Bridge in Hilo.

Inspection findings done yesterday showed a need for repairs to the bridge, which is also known as ‘Singing Bridge’ and located on Hawai‘i Belt Road between Wai‘ānuenue Avenue and Pukihae Street.

Effective today, the bridge’s weight limit will be 25 tons and the speed limit over the bridge will be 10 mph. The maximum single-axle weight limit will be five tons. The reduced bridge weight limits will not have any effect on passenger vehicles, which typically weigh two tons, nor emergency vehicles and buses, which typically weigh less than 20 tons. The changes and detour route will remain in place until the emergency repairs are completed. HDOT currently expects these repairs to be completed in approximately two-and-a-half weeks.

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.

HDOT made repairs to Wailuku Bridge in September 2019 and November 2020. A full rehabilitation of the bridge is planned to begin in 2026.