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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0125.002 2006-2008 Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura From: Bob Ward [rgward007@hawaii.rccom] [,%,i~ ~'~;j(1 ~~M f]!'I Q ~'t Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 10:31 PM To: Council Testimony ~ '~.IJVt'a: Cc: Laura Dierenfield Subject: Bill 34 Attachments: CC-La'i'opua.doc I would like to submit the attached testimony related to Bill 34. If the design is adjusted to conform with the General Plan, Kona Community Development Plan and Bike Plan Hawaii, I support the increased spending. Robert Ward Kailua Kona Comm. No.-~"-~~2---^ Ref. To: Pre, .ra C..~w Ref. Date MAR 2 1 911107 3/20/2007 TESTIMONY -HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL -Bill 34 (Draft 2) Prepared by: Robert Ward 77-6526 Ho'olaupa'i St Kailua Kona, HI 96740 Thank you for the opportunity to share my concerns. I appreciate the efforts that the Planning and Public Works Departments have made to develop this project. However, it was disappointing to learn that adequate bicycle facilities have not been included and that retaining the utility of the existing multi-use pathway has not been addressed. Therefore, it will be necessary to correct a few omissions. These changes are minor, so the required adjustments should not delay this project. As a member of the County Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee, County Highway Safety Council and the County Transportation Commission my recommendations are: Amend the design to include bike lanes as part of the extensions of Keanalehu Drive and Manawalea Street. • The Hawaii County General Plan (HCGP) is very specific in its goal to make available a variety of transportation modes. The policy outlined in the HCGP seeks to incorporate bicycle and pedestrian systems and to enhance the shared use of roads by cyclists and pedestrians. • The preliminary report for the Kona Community Development Plan (KCDP) supports the implementation of Bike Plan Hawaii. It clearly indicates the community desire to provide separate lanes for bicycles and to include the appropriate bicycle facilities in all capital projects. • Bike Plan Hawaii (BPH) has already identified Keanalehu Drive (including both the existing roadway and the Kealakehe Pathway) as a Priority I project (70c) for adding Bike Lanes. The extension of Manawalea Street has been included as a Priority IV project (75) to include Bike Lanes when the road is built. Even the extension of Keanalehu Drive up to Palani Road has also been included as a Priority IV project (70b) to also include Bike Lanes when that road is built. Consider minor design chances that will encourace cycling without delaying the oroiect or increasinc costs. • Eliminate the gutter joint 2-feet from the curb. Provide continuous paving from the Bike Lane stripe to the curb face. This will eliminate the potential hazard of a longitudinal groove and avoid collecting road debris in the bike lane while reducing future maintenance costs. • Consider substituting Profiled Pavement Markings (PPM) to maximize retroreflectivity under all weather and lighting conditions. The '/<-inch high profile is less hazardous to cyclists then the conventional Retroreflective Raised Pavement Markers (RRPM) that may be as high as'/<-inch when installed. PPM provide excellent visibility as well as a subtle audible warning. • Review storm water inlet design to reduce the potential hazards for less experienced cyclists. A roadway that averages 8 % should be able to adequately dispose of surface runoff without inlets that include severe depressions or sharp drop-offs. Insure that a pedestrian friendly environment is provided when the typical design cross-section is constructed. • A 7-foot wide sidewalk is desirable, but the pedestrian traveled way should remain clear of obstructions including vegetation encroachments, hydrants, signs, poles, unstable utility access covers, and even curb ramps where possible. Provide standardized crosswalks that are well marked with retroreflective Continental style longitudinal stripes. Consider adding high visibility fluorescent tactile warning strips, lower curbs with a tighter radius and improved curb ramps to reduce pedestrian exposure, and if appropriate, raised crosswalks. Consider installing pedestrian lighting instead of current practice of street lighting that remains a holdover from an era before xenon headlamps and side marker lights. Fully shielded pedestrian scale lighting would be more efficient and provide better illumination of bike lanes and sidewalks, as well as the cyclists and pedestrians themselves. Evaluate replacing the segments of the multi-use path that will be eliminated by the connector road alignment. The Kealakehe Pathway is the only multi-use Path in West Highway that is closed to public traffic and has no cross traffic. It is also the most logical location to support a "walking school bus" or "bike train". It fills a community need by linking major school complexes with major residential areas. It would also serve the proposed 1,100 affordable homes in the area, as well as the proposed Civic Center. The HCGP policy is to encourage development of walkways, jogging and bike paths. The proposed KCDP seeks to create paths between all subdivisions. BPH indicates that separated paths are preferred for basic bicyclists and children. Installation of a meandering path would create a suitable gradient to meet the accessibility needs of pedestrians and achieve AASHTO recommendations to accommodate all levels of cyclists. The availability of State land makes this a realistic possibility. The Department of Parks and Recreation has an exemption from additional environmental review for paths less than 10,000 feet in length. The DOT currently has $3 million accumulated for Safe Routes to School projects that could provide additional funding if needed. As an active participant of the Kona Traffic Safety Committee and the Kona Community Development Plan Transportation Working Group, I am hopeful that the County will support the desires expressed by its citizens to provide a safe and walkable community with more bike- friendly facilities.