REP PWIRC 044 04/18/2006 2004-2006

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS DATE: April 18, 2006 RE: Comm. No. 806/Res. No. 311-06 PLACE: Council Chambers TIME: 9:00 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred Resolution No. 311-06, reports as follows: Resolution No. 311-06, transmitted by Hawaii County Council Vice Chair Virginia Isbell, via Communication No. 806, dated Apri13, 2006, requesting the Mayor and his administration to expedite the planning and design of necessazy vehiculaz and pedestrian safety improvements on that portion of Ali`i Drive beginning one block north of the Kamehameha III Road and extending south for one mile to Phase One of the Hokuli`a Bypass. The resolution cites growth in the subject area as exacerbating the already dangerous ingress and egress from adjacent properties, heightening the vehicular danger to the many vacationers, walkers, cyclists and runners who frequent Ali`i Drive on a daily basis. The resolution further states that timely attention to design and construction of necessazy improvements prior to, or concurrent with, the opening of the Hokuli`a Bypass and the Ali`i Highway extension will help insure that those driving on the affected roads will not have to deal with the slow moving traffic, and will provide a safe pedestrian route. Your Committee heazd testimony from members of the public regarding the proposed requests. All members of the public spoke in support of the resolution. One member of the public suggested that improvements to this intersection could be used as a pilot project for concurrency. During the public testimony portion of the meeting, Council Member Jacobson informed the Committee and those present at the meeting that he intended to introduce an amendment to Res. No. 311-06, to include installation of a traffic roundabout at the subject intersection Your committee was informed by members of the public and members of the Department of Public Works that a traffic roundabout was not feasible at the intersection, as there is not sufficient space and that there is a burial site located near the edge of the intersection, thus limiting excavation space. Additionally, your Committee was informed that the approach to the intersection is very steep and not suitable for a traffic roundabout. Mr. Jacobson stated that he was not personally familiaz with the subject intersection, but would like a roundabout to be considered.