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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0400.022 2002-2004 CHARLES BF.YEK KOADS AND TKANSYORTATION ENGINF.F.K Chairman Arakaki, et.al. ~~~REC2YVii! ^ 25 Aupunl Street nme._ ~ ~ ss P~ gy ~w tlllo, Hawaii 96720 Dare__ ~/.:8_°`! - Counry Council Dear Chairman Arakaki and the Hawaii County Council, Friday Jan. 23`d I was in attendance at the public hearing to voice concern over the re-zoning of the proposed O'oma resort property. Although I respect the emotions of the assembled people, I did not share the collective opposition to the project. It occurs to me that this project is just one of a string of such projects that have come before and will continue to come to this beautiful land, this aloha `aina. With this larger frame of reference, we must identify solutions to mitigate damage to our quality of life and the environment, while implementing actions which will enhance the same. My name is Charles Beyer, a resident of Waimea. I have been employed until recently (due to moving) as the design engineer for the Roads and Transportation department of Thurston County, Washington state. Thurston County is of comparable size to Big Island with probably 5 times the population and traffic. I have been involved in everything there from storm water management and ROW utilities, to environmental planning and highway design. From my experience, I would like to address some of the publics concerns and offer both immediate and long term solutions. Storm water, erosion, and toxic runoff from highways and fertilized landscaping can be easily controlled with BNIP's currently designed and operating in numerous mainland communities. In addition, opportunity exists in this environment to transpire storm water through vegetation, thus trapping toxins and relieving retention and detention ponds of load. A storm water system need not be a series of ugly ponds, but can be an aquatic and terrestrial park, encompassing numerous plant specie. This has environmental and anthropomorphic benefit for all of us. Such development as is proposed is not necessarily a recipe for disaster as some would suggest, but an opportunity for botanical enhancement of our island. The Traffic Problem. I too have been trapped in the grid lock of the airport- to- Kona corridor. This is not a problem of too many cars, but of time Gomm. No. QO• ZL Ref. To: Ref. Uate sequencing. It is proven that these jam-ups are caused by the irregular speeds of the vehicles, stopping, and the subsequent self enhancing stall wave that propagates back through the traffic. The immediate solution to this problem is the installation of "round-a-bouts", as are used extensively in Europe, and now in numerous mainland counties. I have seen the same daily mile long grid lock, radiating out in 3 directions from an intersection, completely eliminated by the insertion of a round-a-bout. Two to 3 lane round-a-bouts at the intersections of Palani Road and Queen Kaahunanu Hwy, Henry and Queen Kaahunanu Hwy, Makala and Hwy #11, and Hina Lani and Hwy # 11 would eliminate the grid lock of this corridor overnight. These traffic through ways will eliminate stopping at traffic lights, improve safety, and could be implemented within a few month window. The construction is minimal compared to lane widening, and can be paid for out of the costs of maintaining the current signals. Having measured theses intersections, I see that there is sufficient right of way to implement these ideas immediately. At the cost of no more than the daily road maintenance crew, the round-a-bouts can be tested by the placement of a few Jersey barriers and the re-striping of the existing intersection. Turn off the signal and try it I suggest. The people will be delighted beyond measure. I offer my services as an engineer to you, the council, and the public works department, to acquire designs from mainland installations, survey the intersections, design the projects, supervise construction of the projects, and oversee all required aspects to implement the projects. Documentation of the success of these structures can be easily obtained from those congested counties that have been relived of traffic problems following their constructions. I have attached two scale sketches of the intersection of Hina Lani and Hwy # 11 ,one as it exists now and another as it could exist as a round-a-bout. These can be overlain on a window and the striping solution observed. As we know, the traffic here backs up into the Costco parking lot and into all the side streets. I suspect that Costco will finance any changes, just to maintain their business. Lastly, I would like to mention the responsibility of developers and the council to institute public transportation. In the current case, I recommend high speed coastal hovercraft transports (the modern quiet type) from the resort to downtown Kona, with 20 passenger shuttle busses moving people to the major shopping centers on a regular schedule. Numerous other economical, self-sustaining, un-subsidized transit solutions exist. These without 8 figure start up costs for rail systems or other high capital installations. If I may, I request that the public information of the address of Mr.CliffMoriss (and other contact information), be sent to me. With this contact I will discuss transportation options with him in person, if possible. Mr. Morris can then discuss his decisions or options with the Council. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter with solutions to our ever expanding community. I trust that a copy of this will be forwarded on to the Planning Director, Mr. Chris Yuen, and that around-a-bout solution will be closely evaluated. Please consider that the 2004 State highway budget of 37 million for W. Hawaii would be impacted by less than 25% by these solutions, traffic cleared up, and the Council appearing as glowing hero's to the community. I look forward to working together with the county on traffic engineering solutions soon. Very Sinc y, Charles Beyer - sand Transportation Engineer 67-5091 Yutak en Place Kamuela, HI 96743 (808)885-4178 hover@msn.com or sculpzor~msn.com Please email if possible, as my sick mother has difficulty answering the phone. Thank You. Ex?sTn•K~ s~c.c t ~zo c.~Y~ -J i r \ _ ~ A 9 'how _ ~ - - - 6~ Li~KE c,AUE ~ ® 12, LANE 12.~ I URN 1..~41JE ___~1' ~,II -r l (z~ UNE (2,' how Nwr ~ 11 i ~ ~ I~2Q z yEi~-A To ~~~~c _ - - ~ ~o~tG ~ AR+ A~uE ~.A~E ® D I I n ~ d~~ ~ ~ . ~ \ ~ ME~~ ~~N~ ~ ~ ~1 UT~L. t ~wY ' i~ EA~1~C-.NT G~hRD r2Rll.