COM 0399.001 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MtY oI Mu Lhti, William P. Kenai• Warren H. W. Lee Mayor Director 1~~ oF•wi..lr William T. Takaba Managing Director Count of C'Rafvall DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 7 - Hilo, Hawaii 967204224 (808)961-8321 - Fax(808)961-8630 www.co.hawaii.hi.us Mamalahoa Highway Bypass summary of 60-day report • Mamalahoa Highway Bypass is a 3.45-mile road in Kona. 1250 Oceanside Partners, developer of Hokuli'a, owns it. Under a grant of easement with the County of Hawai'i, the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass connects to the 4,000-foot long Haleki'i Street extension. On March 1-, 2008, it opened one-way southbound travel to the public, providing an alternate route for residents who live in Kealakekua and beyond South Kona. The limited use of the Bypass is on a 180-day trial is due to expire on September 4, 2009. • The Mamalahoa Highway Bypass is open between the hours of 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays. • Based on traffic studies conducted for Ali'i Drive in 2006 and '07, the County assessed that 33 percent of traffic traveling on Hwy 11 would be diverted to the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass, reducing traffic queues through Honalo Junction and Kainaliu Town. After several months, motorists would decide the route they preferred. The number of vehicles using the Bypass was projected to decrease. • Prior to opening the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass, delays at Honalo Junction and Hwy 11were created by the stop- and-go to allow vehicles to merge onto Hwy 11. Each merge added time, multiplied by the number of stops, equaling long lines of vehicles and adding 30 minutes or more to travel time. Kainaliu crawl vanishes Prior to opening the Bypass. Hwy 11 through Honalo Junction was the only route to Kealakekua and beyond South Kona. Mamalahoa Highway Bypass provides an alternate route for residents living in South Kona and beyond. Travel through Honalo Junction and into Kainaliu improved. The 30-minute wait is gone. Residents and developer define success Residents were asked to develop a monitoring plan with evaluation criteria to determine their definition of success. The definition of success was the focus of monthly meetings with 1250 Oceanside Partners, Kona Scenic and Keauhou Resort residents, and at Earth Day in April For three residents on Haleki'i, success meant no accidents or traffic congestion on Haleki i allowing them to back out of their driveways, and they are happy this is the situation. E-mails received from commuters living in Kealakekua and beyond expressed their appreciation for shorter drive times and Kona Scenic residents expressed this as well. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.