H-1 Freeway Kapolei Interchange Complex Phase I Dedicated, Opened to Motorists
11/02/11 - Governor Neil Abercrombie joined area legislators, representatives from the James Campbell Company, LLC, and representatives from the Federal Highway Administration and state Department of Transportation in a ceremony dedicating the completion of the H-1 Kapolei Interchange Complex Phase I.
L to R: Abraham Wong, Div. Administrator, FHWA; David Rae, Sr VP, Kapolei Property Dev., LLC; Jennifer Sabas, Chief of Staff to Sen. Daniel Inouye; Rep Sharon Har; Gov. Neil Abercrombie; Sen. Will Espero; DOT Dir. Glenn Okimoto, Kahu Kordell Kekoa
HONOLULU – The state Department of Transportation (DOT) celebrated the completion of Phase I of the H-1 Freeway Kapolei Interchange Complex project with the opening of new eastbound exit and entrance ramps and the new Wakea Street Extension. Governor Neil Abercrombie, Senator Will Espero, Representative Sharon Har, along with representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, the James Campbell Company, LLC, Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co., Inc., and state DOT officials took part in a dedication ceremony earlier today.
“This is the start to creating roadways that make sense in anticipation of the population growth that will occur in this area," said Governor Neil Abercrombie. "The rapid development of West Oahu is exciting and it's important that residents and businesses have easy access to their destinations. These new ramps make that possible."
The newly-opened entrance and exit ramps will give motorists a new eastbound on-ramp from Wakea Street and a new off-ramp to Wakea Street and Kamokila Boulevard. The new Wakea Street Extension connects the area’s main thoroughfares: Farrington Highway Kamokila Boulevard and Kalaeloa Boulevard.
Phase I was completed by contractor Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co., Inc., at an approximate cost of $18.7 million. The contract was awarded on Nov. 24, 2008 with construction beginning on July 2, 2009.
Ninety-four percent of the project’s $18.7 million cost was provided by federal funding. The James Campbell Company, LLC, via Kapolei Property Development, LLC, provided an additional $1 million in funding and donated 7.8 acres of land, for a total contribution of approximately $6 million. Another $26.5 thousand was funded by local utility companies. Most significantly, no state funds were used for Phase I of this project.
Phase II, which is anticipated to begin construction in mid-2013, will include additional ramps connecting the Wakea Street Extension to the westbound lanes of H-1 Freeway. Future phases will construct more entrance and exit ramps, linking major roadways, balancing the distribution of traffic throughout the region and allowing motorists to spend less time in traffic.
The latest in a series of recent transportation improvements that include the construction of Kualakai Parkway (opened in February of 2010) and the Fort Weaver Road Widening Project (completed in December of 2009), the H-1 Freeway Kapolei Interchange Complex project will help to improve the quality of life for residents and businesses as Oahu’s “Second City” continues to grow.
Motorists are advised to drive with caution as they familiarize themselves with the new traffic patterns.
