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Xi Ili�l ( �1 <br /> 4.1 TRANSPORTATION <br /> The Transportation section of the Kona CDP serves as a policy guide for County decisions regarding <br /> transportation systems. Its objectives, policies, and actions establish a transportation-oriented basis for <br /> future development that is integrated with the Land Use section, as well as the Public Facilities, <br /> Infrastructure and Services section of the Kona CDP. In addition, it provides guidance for concurrency and <br /> connectivity of transportation facilities with future development to ensure that all communities are <br /> adequately served. <br /> 4.1.1 Existing Conditions <br /> Traffic congestion in Kona is bad and grows worse with time. The congestion is fueled by the rapid growth <br /> and exacerbated by the road network, land use patterns and dependence on the automobile. Road <br /> improvements have not kept pace with development. Poor management of past development has <br /> eliminated or compromised future roadway corridor options. Major road improvements take a long time to <br /> complete and limited financial resources have to be prioritized and supplemented by innovative funding <br /> sources. <br /> Two major north/south roadways, Queen Ka'ahumanu/Kuakini (Highway 19) and Mamalahoa Highway <br /> (Highway 190), are well beyond capacity and carry the majority of the north/south traffic through and within <br /> Kona. Both State and County share jurisdiction over the roads in Kona (see Figure 4-1). <br /> Based on State DOT traffic counts, several locations along regional transportation facilities in the planning <br /> area currently operate at poor levels of service (COH Planning Department, August 14, 2006). In general, <br /> the following roadway segments operate at Level of Service (LOS) "D" or worse (COH Planning <br /> Department, August 14, 2006): <br /> ■ Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, Keahole to Palani Road <br /> ■ Hawai'i Belt Road, Palani Road to Kealakekua <br /> ■ Palani Road, east of Henry Street and west of Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway <br /> Over the years, new development mauka and makai of the primary arterial highways has occurred without <br /> local road connectivity. New developments have been built with no or very little connection to each other. <br /> Lacking such connectivity, all traffic funnels to the arterials and conditions have deteriorated to the degree <br /> that Kona's residents' quality of life, visitors' regional experience, and overall public safety suffered. <br /> 4.1.2 Overall Strategy <br /> Widening, improving, and extending major arterials, as well as increasing connectivity between and within <br /> existing and future development are necessary to enhance mobility in Kona. Priority arterial highway <br /> projects include widening Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway between Henry Street and the airport, Kuakini <br /> Highway Widening between Henry Street and Kamehameha III Road, and the construction of the <br /> Mamalahoa Highway Bypass Road and Kahului-Keauhou Parkway. The proposed Keohokalole Highway <br /> (Mid-Level Road) will add capacity to the north-south arterial network, and reduce demands on the existing <br /> regional facilities. It would also serve as the central multi-modal corridor serving future regional <br /> development. A series of east-west(mauka-makai) collector roads linking the regional north-south facilities <br /> must also be provided for added circulation and to further reduce the reliance upon the regional facilities. <br /> In addition, future urban development must contribute to a well-connected local transportation network that <br /> provides for safe, direct, and convenient access for automobile, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. Local <br /> 3 <br />