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COUNTY OF HAWAIG +: :+ STATE OF HAWAII <br /> J ' <br /> �tE OF'MpJi <br /> RESOLUTION NO. 593 _ <br /> M <br /> t <br /> A RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE, <br /> STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC <br /> WORKS TO PRIORITIZE,FUND,AND COMPLETE CRITICAL ROAD <br /> IMPROVEMENTS IN PUNA. <br /> WHEREAS, Puna's transportation infrastructure has been tremendously underfunded for <br /> decades; and <br /> WHEREAS, Puna is the fastest growing region in the State and home to more than <br /> 50,000 residents who deserve a safe and reliable local transportation system to access essential <br /> services such as school, work, healthcare, and recreational opportunities; and <br /> WHEREAS,the Regional Federal Aid Highways 2035 Transportation Plan for the <br /> District of Hawaii highlights that approximately 40,400 vehicles travel on Highway 130 from <br /> Puna to Hilo every day for work, school, or commercial services; and <br /> WHEREAS, State Highway 11 and State Highway 130 are largely restricted to two lanes <br /> of traffic and are the only highways for residents to travel in and out of Puna; and <br /> WHEREAS,these State highways traverse through dense residential areas where some <br /> residents are forced to exit their private driveways onto a roadway with vehicles exceeding the <br /> posted speed limit of 45-miles-per hour; and <br /> WHEREAS,the Hawaii Department of Transportation reported 16 fatalities on State <br /> Highway 130 since 2010, which, in addition to the needless and tragic loss of life, has led to <br /> multi-hour traffic delays causing economic disruptions and widespread community <br /> dissatisfaction; and <br /> WHEREAS, traffic congestion and the limited road system in Puna severely impacts <br /> police, fire, and emergency medical services response time to emergency calls as well as the <br /> community's ability to evacuate the area during times of natural disaster; and <br /> WHEREAS, numerous County Resolutions (see Exhibit A), State plans, and reports <br /> have called for the improvement of traffic circulation throughout Puna by widening Highway <br /> 130, extending Railroad Avenue or Government Beach Road to Hilo, or providing another Puna <br /> alternative route; and <br /> WHEREAS, a balanced, equitable, well-connected, safe transportation system for Puna <br /> is critical to supporting agriculture, interconnectivity, multi-modal needs, healthcare, economy, <br /> and improving quality of life; now, therefore, <br />