Communication No. 2019-09- KCDP Amendments PD Review

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Communication No. 2019-09 4.1 TRANSPORTATION The Transportation section of the Kona CDP serves as a policy guide for County decisions regarding transportation systems. Its objectives, policies, and actions establish a transportation - oriented basis for future development that is integrated with the Land Use section, as well as the Public Facilities, Infrastructure and Services section of the Kona CDP. In addition, it provides guidance for concurrency and connectivity of transportation facilities with future development to ensure that all communitie s are adequately served. 4.1.1 Existing Conditions Traffic congestion in Kona is bad and grows worse with time. The congestion is fueled by the rapid growth and exacerbated by the road network, land use patterns and dependence on the automobile. Road improveme nts have not kept pace with development. Poor management of past development has eliminated or compromised future roadway corridor options. Major road improvements take a long time to complete and limited financial resources have to be prioritized and sup plemented by innovative funding sources. (Highway 190), are well beyond capacity and carry the majority of the north/south traffic through and within Kona. Both S tate and County share jurisdiction over the roads in Kona (see Figure 4 - 1). Based on State DOT traffic counts, several locations along regional transportation facilities in the planning area currently operate at poor levels of service (COH Planning Departm ent, August 14, 2006). In general, Department, August 14, 2006): Over the years, new development mauka and makai of the primary arterial highways has occu rred without local road connectivity. New developments have been built with no or very little connection to each other. Lacking such connectivity, all traffic funnels to the arterials and conditions have deteriorated to the degree 4.1.2 Overall Strategy Widening, improving, and extending major arterials, as well as increasing connectivity between and within existing and future development are necessary to enhance mobility in Kona. Priority arterial highway Highway Widening between Henry Street and Kamehameha III Road, and the construction of the way Bypass Road and Kahului - (Mid - Level Road) will add capacity to the north - south arterial network, and reduce demands on the existing regional facilities. It would also serve as the central multi - modal c orridor serving future regional development. A series of east - west (mauka - makai) collector roads linking the regional north - south facilities must also be provided for added circulation and to further reduce the reliance upon the regional facilities. In a ddition, future urban development must contribute to a well - connected local transportation network that 3