Contra Flow on Highway 130 schedule

[Rob Tucker]

From the HDOT web site.....

http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/updated...t-website/

HAWAII ISLAND

Plans are being developed to run a trial AM northbound contraflow lane on Keeau-Pahoa Road (Highway 130) from Kaloli Drive to Shower Drive. This lane would be open to motorists from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. from April 30 to May 11, 2018. A conceptual drawing showing the contraflow setup is available here.

During contraflow operations, HDOT Hawaii District staff will provide pedestrian and bicycle taxi service through the contraflow area. Designated pickup and drop off points for the pedestrian and bicycle taxi service will be identified on Highway 130 north of Shower Drive and south of Kaloli Drive. Hawaii District staff will be on site throughout the contraflow trial to ensure safe passage for all roadway users.

There will be no left turns allowed from Highway 130 at the Shower/Pohaku Drive intersection; and Poni Moi (29th) Avenue, Pohaku Place, and the makai side of Puakalo Street will be limited to a right in and right out movement during the contraflow hours.

For more information on the Keeau-Pahoa Road contraflow trial or to provide feedback during the trial, All phone calls regarding this traffic pattern should be sent to Don Smith, HDOT District Engineer.

Donald L. Smith
Hawaii District Engineer
50 Makaala Street
Hilo, HI 86720
(808)933-8866

[KeaauRich]

Contra flows were very effective in DC when we lived there. hope this works out!

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Haleakala Highway on Maui had morning contra flow when it was three lanes. It worked well. Hopefully the state planners for this experiment on Hwy 130 will be able to use some of the experience gained from other islands.

“Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Kahunascott]

Works here in Oahu each day 5 days a week in both directions on the H1

[Kapoho Joe]

It may work elsewhere where the drivers are more experienced. I for one, will be bringing a beach chair and some snacks...

[geochem]

With all the hoo-ha over the Pahoa Circle of Death, might want to include some tourniquets and splints too...

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Pahoa Circle of Death

Before the Circle of Death opened, few Puna residents had ever driven on a roundabout. It wasn't completely unwarranted to approach it with a degree of fear and loathing.

However, the difference between the roundabout and this Hwy 130 contra flow experiment, is that we've had plenty of practice over the last two years:
1) Phase 1 expanded a two lane highway into an almost three lane highway - - cones, cones, cones
2) The light was installed at Shower Dr as well as turn lanes - - more cones
3) Then the highway was restripped and converted into 4 lanes - - plenny mo dakine

We've been driving between orange construction cones for so long, the state DOT probably thought we missed them.

“Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

[terracore]

ETA: "Plans are being developed to run a trial AM Oliver North bound contraflow lane on Keeau-Pahoa Road..."

[Seeb]

Do they mean their opening the shoulder as a lane? That’s not really contra flow

[KeaauRich]

Seeb..no, they'll be taking one lane from the south-bound side and allowing traffic to flow in the opposite direction. You're right, strictly speaking, it's not a contraflow lane (one that switches directions during specified hours). They're merely taking two full sized lanes plus the narrow paved shoulders and subdividing them into three narrow traffic lanes, thereby creating an additional Hilo-bound lane with bare-ground shoulders. Although, I suppose if the need is proven, they could do the same thing in the evening, with traffic flowing in the other direction.
And I think HOTPE is right, this will not be too confusing for motorists because cones will be out and we've all gotten used to crazy traffic patterns on Rt. 130. The real challenge will be if they decide to make it a permanent change, which will require restriping and, if done like DC, overhead lights indicating which lanes are open in which direction.


(Edited to correct my previously inaccurate post)