GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $2,377,000 FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS TO “KEEP KAUA`I ON THE MOVE”
For Immediate Release: January 26, 2006
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $2,377,000 in state funds
for road improvements on Kaua`i: $1,665,000 for retaining wall improvements
on Kuamo`o Road;
$500,000 for the temporary Kapa`a Bypass Road; and $212,000 to upgrade
guardrail and paved shoulders on Kuhio Highway.
“These road improvements on Kaua`i will improve safety and decrease traffic congestion for the benefit of Kaua`i residents and visitors,” said Governor Lingle.
“Governor Lingle and DOT officials visited Kaua`i in August, promising to move forward with certain projects to help get traffic moving and make the roads safer,” said State Transportation Director Rod Haraga. “These projects are part of our ongoing efforts to fulfill that promise.”
Kuamo`o Road
Currently, the retaining walls are too low and are showing signs of
deterioration. This project will replace the retaining walls, construct tie
back systems for the walls and install guardrails in the vicinity of the
milepost 1.1 on Kuamo`o Road. The total project cost is
$1,885,000. Work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2006.
Kapa`a Bypass Road
These funds will complete the construction of the temporary Kapa`a Bypass
Road from Kuhio Highway to Olohena Road and install guardrails and end
treatments, construct pavement in portions of the roadway, reconstruct
and/or widen roadway sections, and install signing and striping from Olohena
Road to Kuhio Highway.
The existing Kapa`a Temporary Bypass was constructed in 1995 to ease congestion along Kuhio Highway in the vicinity of Kapa`a Town. It provides two-way traffic along two lanes around Waipouli and most of Kapa`a, and currently ends at Olohena Road (which is located in the middle of Kapa`a Town).
The current project will extend the temporary bypass from Olohena Road in a northerly direction to Kuhio Highway, thus completing the bypass and providing a route that circumvents this congested length of Kuhio Highway, as well as reduce traffic on Olohena Road. The total project cost is $6,045,000. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.
Kuhio Highway Guardrail and Shoulder Improvements
This project will install or upgrade paved shoulders and guardrail systems
at various locations on Kuhio Highway as part of the Guardrail and Shoulder
Improvement Program, an annual statewide safety improvements program. The
total project cost is $1,060,000. It is expected to be finished this
summer.
Other Kaua`i road projects currently being designed include the creation of a fourth lane over Wailua River Bridge, the widening of Kuhio Highway between Wailua River Bridge to the temporary Kapa`a Bypass, and the intersection improvements at Kapule and Kuhio Highways near Hanamaulu Bridge.
Governor Lingle and Kaua`i Mayor Bryan Baptiste were instrumental in bringing together all of the stakeholders to help develop short-term road projects and to raise the projects in statewide priority. A public meeting is scheduled on Kaua`i next month to discuss short-term improvements along Kuhio Highway.
###
For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor –
Communications
Phone: 586-7708
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043
Rod Haraga
Director, Dept. of Transportation
Phone: 587-2150
