COM 1020.002 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 1 of 2 Murashige, Laura Pl PWii: From: geomike5@att.net Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 2:09 PM To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us 8 Subject: testimony on Bill 250 ICOMkl. JC2v JL r ; CG Testimony by Michael Reimer, Kailua-Kona, Public Works Committee, e -O February 20, 2008, 3 F + F'! .`r; ca Aloha distinguished Committee Members: CO I am here to testify on Bills 249 and 250 of the group 248 to 251 concerning traffic modifications concomitant with the partial opening of the Mamalahoa Bypass. The simple fact that these Bills exist is an acknowledgement by the Public Works Committee that Ali'i Drive, an emergency access route, is already overloaded and the inevitable increase with the partial opening of the Mamalahoa Bypass will only exacerbate existing problems. These Bills are inadequate to address relief from the existing problem let alone what will be created with the opening of the Mamalahoa bypass. In effect these bills suggest actions that are equivalent to controlling a major arterial bleed with a band-aid. As I live on Ali'i Drive and have numerous opportunities to observe the traffic flow in and around Ali'i Drive, I feel I can make the following suggestions for realistic improvement to the Bills. 1) For Bill 250 addressing the speed limit, add to it that the speed limit on Ali'i Drive be reduced to 25 mph. This will require moving section 24-256 schedule 4 f(1) that addresses 30 mph for Ali'i Drive to Section 24-255 schedule 3 subsection (f), relating to 25 mph speeds. Ali'i Drive is heavily used as a pedestrian walk and bike path. In addition, perhaps two radar speed indicator signs should be provided at strategic locations to remind motorists of their speed. This total action will address a safety issue that has been otherwise ignored. 2) For Bill 249, traffic signals should be installed rather than stop signs. This will then come under section 24-274.1, subsection (f). The reason for this is clear. There must be traffic breaks along Ali'i Drive to accommodate traffic from mauka corridors. The three-way stop signs will not provide those natural breaks but simply create a waltz of continuous traffic - One-two-three, One-two-three, One-two- three..., - that is, car after car after car. Traffic signals will provide natural breaks so there are opportunities for traffic to flow from the perpendicular feeders. In addition, the traffic sig nals could be set to function only during rush hours if that is seen to be advantageous at some intersections. Although more expensive that stop signs, traffic signals will improve the traffic flow and I note that there was money found from unspent gas tax revenues that could either directly or indirectly by freeing up other funding for this upgrade. 3) I believe a Bill should be introduced to provide signage that directs traffic using the Mamalahoa bypass to use King Kamehameha III Road and Kuikini Highway. Although many people will try to use Ali'i Drive, they may soon find it to be more than the nightmare it already is. They may avoid Hualalai and try to use Walua-Lunapule or Lako-Royal Poinciana as access to Ali'i Drive, but it is not conscionable to increase traffic through those residential neighborhoods. Comm. No. All P O . Ref. To: 6 2/19/2008 Ref. Date FEB 2 0 20n8