2024-02-27 PL -SMA-2023-000036 Simmy McMichael Opposition Testimony

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Kuakini Highway Improvements Project, Phase 2 Draft Environmental Assessment Widening Kuakini Highway would help address existing and future traffic congestion. Widening is proposed only as far as the future intersection with proposed Ali`i Highway because with Ali`i Highway in place, it is projected that the volume of traffic on Kuakini Highway south of Ali`i Highway would only be half the volume as on Kuakini Highway north of Ali`i Highway. 1 .2.2 Improve Roadway Drainage Roadway drainage improvements are needed to address existing drainage conditions. Much of Kuakini Highway within the project limits does not have drainage facilities. Storm water runoff from the road sheet flows to the side of the road into unimproved areas, or along gutters to drain inlets in those areas where gutters do exist. Flow diversion and control at stream crossings is also needed to protect the roadway during large storms. Such storms occur regularly in the Kona area and occasional flooding of Kuakini Highway occurs. However, improvements to stream crossings are not part of this project because other agencies are currently addressing the concerns associated with stream crossings. The Keopu Stream drainage way at the northern terminus of the proposed project is being studied by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). It is anticipated that USACE will construct improvements upstream so that the box culvert at Kuakini Highway would not require resizing (personal communication, Derrick Elfalan, Oceanit, Inc., May 5, 2006). Nevertheless, all culverts will be assessed during final design to verify that culvert sizes are sufficient to convey predicted runoff at each location. Improvements needed at the Waiaha Stream drainage way, including its "Splitflow #3" crossing near the southern project terminus, have been included in the design of the Ali`i Highway project. 1 .2.3 Implement Common Design Standards — Enhance Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities and Visual Character Another purpose of this project is to apply common design standards along Kuakini Highway. These design standards are described in Section 1.4. While some stretches of Kuakini Highway have been previously upgraded by private developers in association with their projects, varying design standards across the development projects has led to an inconsistent appearance. Moreover, those segments of roadway without recent development have not been improved. Therefore, the County proposes to create a more visually cohesive roadway design. Beyond widening and adding vehicular lanes to the roadway, the County also proposes to extend the enhancement of pedestrian and bicycle facilities that was begun in Phase 1 between Palani and Hualalai Roads. Early public input regarding the project (see Chapter 3) confirmed that pedestrian and bicycle facility improvements are needed in this roadway segment. Employees and students at the University of Nations represent a significant portion of the need since many people walk or bike regularly between the campus and the center of Kailua-Kona. Therefore, connecting the University to Hualalai Road, with its pedestrian and bicycle facilities, would benefit the University community and residents in the adjacent areas. Visual improvements such as landscaping and the relocation of overhead utility poles were also part of the Phase 1 design. Under Phase 2, DPW proposes to extend such improvements to achieve a consistent look, enhancing the corridor. Where possible, the proposed typical section for Phase 2 was made similar to Phase 1, including the placement of utility poles only on the mauka side of the road. See Section 1.4 below for more details on the typical section. March 2013 Page 1-4