Hawaii to build evacuation routes on Maui after deadly wildfires

Hawaii released maps detailing new evacuation routes for Lahaina, Hawaii, after last year's deadly Maui wildfires left residents trapped in their cars.

Hawaii officials released maps Tuesday detailing new evacuation routes that will be built in Lahaina, Hawaii, to help prevent the type of roadblocks that trapped people in their burning neighborhoods during the wildfires on Maui.

An opening in a sound wall in the Kelawea Mauka neighborhood will be created to allow cars to pass through and provide more access to the Lahaina Bypass, a main highway, during emergencies, the state Transportation Department said. The sound wall is currently used to minimize noise from traffic on the bypass.

A route will also be established at the top of Lahainaluna Road, a popular thoroughfare that was blocked by debris, fleeing residents and fire trucks during the Aug. 8 wildfires on western Maui, which killed 101 people, transportation officials said.

New evacuation routes will help traffic flow in and out of Lahaina.Hawaii Department of TransportationAn emergency access route was already opened in October for several area schools, running about 2.5 miles from the Lahainaluna fire lane to the Lahaina Bypass, Gov. Josh Green's office said.

A second phase to create more access points near the bypass is under construction, it added.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hawaii-build-evacuation-routes-maui-deadly-wildfires-rcna138659

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