HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 593 Draft 01 2020-2022A RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE HAWAI‘I STATE LEGISLATURE, STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TO PRIORITIZE, FUND, AND COMPLETE CRITICAL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
IN PUNA.
WHEREAS, Puna’s transportation infrastructure has been tremendously underfunded for decades; and
WHEREAS, Puna is the fastest growing region in the State and home to more than 50,000 residents who deserve a safe and reliable local transportation system to access essential services
such as school, work, healthcare, and recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Regional Federal Aid Highways 2035 Transportation Plan for the District of Hawaiʻi highlights that approximately 40,400 vehicles travel on Highway 130 from Puna to Hilo
every day for work, school, or commercial services; and
WHEREAS, State Highway 11 and State Highway 130 are largely restricted to two lanes of traffic and are the only highways for residents to travel in and out of Puna; and
WHEREAS, these State highways traverse through dense residential areas where some residents are forced to exit their private driveways onto a roadway with vehicles exceeding the posted
speed limit of 45-miles-per hour; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation reported 16 fatalities on State Highway 130 since 2010, which, in addition to the needless and tragic loss of life, has led to multi-hour
traffic delays causing economic disruptions and widespread community dissatisfaction; and
WHEREAS, traffic congestion and the limited road system in Puna severely impacts police, fire, and emergency medical services response time to emergency calls as well as the community’s
ability to evacuate the area during times of natural disaster; and
WHEREAS, numerous County Resolutions (see Exhibit A), State plans, and reports have called for the improvement of traffic circulation throughout Puna by widening Highway 130, extending
Railroad Avenue or Government Beach Road to Hilo, or providing another Puna alternative route; and
WHEREAS, a balanced, equitable, well-connected, safe transportation system for Puna is critical to supporting agriculture, interconnectivity, multi-modal needs, healthcare, economy,
and improving quality of life; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that the Hawai‘i State Legislature and the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation are strongly urged to prioritize, significantly
invest in, and develop necessary road improvements and roadway infrastructure in Puna to meet the growing needs of the region.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Work leverage funding provided by the issuance of general obligation bonds authorized via Ordinance No. 20-27 and prioritize planning,
design, and development of Puna Connectivity and Emergency Access Routes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation and all applicable County Departments collaborate on transportation project planning and development of a coordinated
road system throughout Puna that fosters safe and efficient mobility of commuters and the economic vitality of Puna.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Honorable David Y. Ige, Governor; Director of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, Jade
Butay; Deputy Director of Highways Division, Ed Sniffen; Hawai‘i Island District Engineer for Highways, Harry Takiue; the Honorable Senate President, Ronald D. Kouchi; the Honorable
Speaker of the House, Scott Saiki; the Honorable Representative Joy San Buenaventura, the Honorable Representative Gregor Ilagan; the Honorable Representative Chris Todd; the Honorable
Mitchell D. Roth, Mayor; Director of Finance, Deanna Sako; and Director of Public Works, Steven Pause.
Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
CHUNG
DAVID
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________.
INABA
KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
KIMBALL
ATTEST:
LEE LOY
RICHARDS
VILLEGAS
Reference:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.
EXHIBIT A
Hawaiʻi County Council adopted Resolution No. 149-05 on September 21, 2005, which requested the State Department Transportation to expedite a study to determine needed safety improvements
to State Highway 130 between Kea‘au and Pāhoa
Hawaiʻi County Council adopted Resolution No. 386-07 on December 5, 2007, which urged the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and property owners not to negotiate commercial development
along Highway 11 in South Hilo to prevent more commuters from driving to Hilo
Hawaiʻi County Council adopted Resolution No. 768-08 on February 19, 2009, to urge the Department of Transportation to enact contraflow measures during peak traffic hours along Highway
130
Hawaiʻi County Council adopted Resolution No. 206-09 on November 4, 2009, which listed a Puna Makai alternative route as the number one priority on the County’s capital improvement project
list
Hawaiʻi County Council adopted Resolution No. 56-13 on February 20, 2013, to urge the County to support Senate Bill No. 377 of the Twenty-Seventh Legislature, 2013, which allocated $25
million to conduct a study for a PMAR