08-02-2016, 11:20 AM
With all the back and forth about an alternative roadway in Puna, it was at the very least refreshing to know that some attention was coming our way in terms of the widening of 130.
Well, it appears Ige's latest move has shelved this too. As per Dayton's article in the Honolulu Star Advertiser:
Ige's move will defer indefinitely almost all major new projects to increase highway capacity and reduce traffic congestion on state roadways is a major policy shift, but Ige says he had little choice.
In an interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Ige said the complex, large-scale “capacity” highway projects being deferred are often hugely expensive, and that the Department of Transportation must focus more of its resources on highway maintenance.
One specific capacity project Ige discussed was the expansion of Highway 130 from two lanes to four along more than nine miles of road between Keaau and Pahoa on Hawaii island. That heavily used road is a commuter route for thousands of Puna residents and is frequently jammed during morning and afternoon rush hours.
State transportation officials completed an environmental assessment for that widening project in 2011 which concluded the population in the area will likely more than double over the next 20 years, which would “further exacerbate the existing traffic congestion.”
State highways officials said the Highway 130 project is the state’s top-priority capacity project for the Big Island, but it is now listed with dozens of others that will be deferred unless the state finds more money for new construction. The department said the project “will be delivered and phased as funding allows.”
Transportation officials estimate widening that highway will cost $160 million, which Ige said underscores the problem.
“We would take all the statewide money and put it in this project,” Ige said. “I think that’s the challenge with these capacity projects. You know, they’re so important to every community that they are targeted to help, but they are significantly more costly because typically they’re expanding rights of way or creating new roadways, which is a lot more expensive to do.
“So, one of these major projects consumes such a large portion of the funds available that you can probably only do one or two at a time anyway based on the existing funding level,” he said.
However, contrary to what many in our parts would think, Puna is not the center of the universe. Other major projects will be deferred too:
Other projects that are being deferred include the eastbound H-1 widening from Waiawa to Halawa, which is in the planning stages; the Kahekili Highway widening project to four lanes from two from Haiku to Ahuimanu for $66 million; and the Maui “Lahaina Bypass 1c” project, which would connect the Lahaina Bypass to Kaanapali Connector for $60 million.
Also being deferred indefinitely is the Paia Bypass project on Maui, which is expected to cost $280 million to $300 million; the Kapaa Bypass Road on Kauai; and the Kawaihae Bypass on Hawaii island.
Well, it appears Ige's latest move has shelved this too. As per Dayton's article in the Honolulu Star Advertiser:
Ige's move will defer indefinitely almost all major new projects to increase highway capacity and reduce traffic congestion on state roadways is a major policy shift, but Ige says he had little choice.
In an interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Ige said the complex, large-scale “capacity” highway projects being deferred are often hugely expensive, and that the Department of Transportation must focus more of its resources on highway maintenance.
One specific capacity project Ige discussed was the expansion of Highway 130 from two lanes to four along more than nine miles of road between Keaau and Pahoa on Hawaii island. That heavily used road is a commuter route for thousands of Puna residents and is frequently jammed during morning and afternoon rush hours.
State transportation officials completed an environmental assessment for that widening project in 2011 which concluded the population in the area will likely more than double over the next 20 years, which would “further exacerbate the existing traffic congestion.”
State highways officials said the Highway 130 project is the state’s top-priority capacity project for the Big Island, but it is now listed with dozens of others that will be deferred unless the state finds more money for new construction. The department said the project “will be delivered and phased as funding allows.”
Transportation officials estimate widening that highway will cost $160 million, which Ige said underscores the problem.
“We would take all the statewide money and put it in this project,” Ige said. “I think that’s the challenge with these capacity projects. You know, they’re so important to every community that they are targeted to help, but they are significantly more costly because typically they’re expanding rights of way or creating new roadways, which is a lot more expensive to do.
“So, one of these major projects consumes such a large portion of the funds available that you can probably only do one or two at a time anyway based on the existing funding level,” he said.
However, contrary to what many in our parts would think, Puna is not the center of the universe. Other major projects will be deferred too:
Other projects that are being deferred include the eastbound H-1 widening from Waiawa to Halawa, which is in the planning stages; the Kahekili Highway widening project to four lanes from two from Haiku to Ahuimanu for $66 million; and the Maui “Lahaina Bypass 1c” project, which would connect the Lahaina Bypass to Kaanapali Connector for $60 million.
Also being deferred indefinitely is the Paia Bypass project on Maui, which is expected to cost $280 million to $300 million; the Kapaa Bypass Road on Kauai; and the Kawaihae Bypass on Hawaii island.