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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1018.003 2006-2008 y Q&A on the Mamalahoa Bypass, northern portion, proposed summer opening February 2008 What is the County doing to expedite completion of the southern portion of the Bypass? PW: The administration is speaking with Oceanside 1250 regarding a construction time line. Oceanside's current construction schedule of the Sothern portion of the Bypass is anticipated to last 36-months. By opening Haleki i aren't you just moving the bottleneck from Honalo Junction to Halekf i? PW: To improve the flow of traffic in Kealakekua to Captain Cook, two-way center left turn lanes and left turn pocket lanes were added. No two-way left turn lanes exist from Honalo Junction to the intersection of Haleki'i. By moving 33 percent of the traffic to Haleki'i and through Kealakekua to Captain Cook we reduce traffic at Honalo Junction through Kainaliu town. How will traffic flow be affected by opening the northern portion of the Bypass? PW: The County anticipates 33 percent of the current traffic flowing through Kainaliu Town will divert to Haleki'i for the first several months, between the hours of 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Once motorists experience the good and bad points of using Haleki'i Street as an alternate route, some will revert back to using Mamalahoa Highway through Kainaliu and the traffic on Haleki'i Street will level off. How does the County propose to address safety concerns from residents at both ends of the Bypass' northern stretch? PW: The County proposes a number of improvements prior to the opening of the northern portion of the Bypass. Estimated to take six to eight months to complete, at an estimated cost of $500,000, improvements include: • Speed humps before Mamao and Mull streets in Kona Scenic Subdivision, appropriately spaced to reduce noise, and maintain the 25 mph speed limit. And 3-D speed humps between Mamao and Muli Streets. • Construct a raised intersection with a mini-traffic circle at Mamao and Muli Streets. • Add a pedestrian signal above Mamao at Haleki'i Street. • Install a smart sign at the steeper sections of Haleki'i. A smart sign informs the drivers of their speed and records it so the police can determine the time of day if speeding occurs. • Lengthen the existing right and left turn lanes at the intersection of Haleki i and Mamalahoa Highway. • Special duty officers will be stationed at the entrance to Kaleiopapa Street in Keauhou and at the Haleki'i Street and Mamalahoa Bypass intersection in Kealakekua during the same hours the Bypass is open. • Adjusting the timing of the traffic signal at Kuakini Highway and Kamehameha III to move more cars from Kamehameha III onto Kuakini Highway (completed in the first quarter of 2008). • Three-way stops at three intersections along Ali'i Drive - Lunapule, Royal Poinciana and at the intersection of Kaleiopapa and Ali'i Highway. This is a prelude to installing traffic signals. Com~ 1619.3 Ref. To: W c- Ref. Date EB 2 0 2nnk i • Re-stripe a center lane along sections of Ali'i Highway from Kamehameha III y' Road at Kona County Club to 500 feet beyond Kaleiopapa. One section along this road isn't wide enough for a left turn center lane. • Pave an eight-foot wide pathway for pedestrian and biker use on the mauka side of Ali'i Highway. • Two speed tables will be placed at each golf cart crossing on Kaleiopapa this summer. Speed tables slow traffic by creating a vertical deflection in the roadway. Generally, speed tables provide a gentler ride and are preferred by emergency response providers. • Public Works will ask Hawaii County Council to consider a request that construction trucks not be permitted within the Kona Scenic Subdivision; instead they would use Yamagata Road. Other proposed long-term safety measures, estimated to cost $5 million include: • Traffic signals at Lunapule, Royal Poinciana and Kaleiopapa. • Smart signs may be installed along key locations between Kailua and Keauhou. • Construct Community (Bike & Pedestrian) Path Mauka of Ali'i Drive Long-term safety measures with no estimated time frame or cost not included in the $5 million: • A fourth traffic signal and crosswalks in all directions are planned at Hualalai Road and Ali'i Drive. • Resolve Bike, Pedestrian and Right-of-Way and encroachments on Ali'i Drive (Kailua to Keauhou). Please recap the four proposed traffic ordinances. PW: They are: • To restrict the use of the Bypass to one-way travel for southbound traffic between the hours of 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. weekdays only, except holidays. • Reduce the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph from Honalo Junction to Sandy's Drive Inn in Kainaliu town. • Install stop signs on Ali'i Drive at Lunapule and Royal Poinciana, and at Ali'i Highway and Kaleiopapa as short-term safety measures. Installation would take between six to eight months to complete. • Replace existing stop signs at the Ali'i Drive and Ali'i Highway intersection with traffic signals. What do we hope to accomplish? • Better distribution of traffic to alleviate traffic jams and allow traffic to flow more smoothly between North and South Kona. • An alternate route to the Kona Community Hospital. • Quicker response time for Police and Fire personnel. • During storms, the Mamalahoa Bypass, the northern portion becomes an alternate route. Contact: Bruce C. McClure, P.E. Director, Department of Public Works (808) 961-8321 (808) 557-6437 After 4:30 p.m. Noelani Whittington www.co.hawaii.hi.us Click on Public Works 2 v r 0 S a v _ d o R o Y = ,~re< o Z s° R Z . oc w~ 00 y H ~m`c w O~ C 7'a ~I?a"'na,~ro O ' 3 y = W o°t in in c m w! z 4a _ yme ay . `t r a a Y o _ ~ E OC W o~ ~ Y so ~ o °0 • s o• 'o . oa P````pr x ` w Ad w V i d' 96 J6 w C ~ . Y a Y ~ P w s w ~ N r . M ~ T w E e? g i 0~0 ~ P « ~p w a u i w 6i ffyC m 6 m ' ©0 * 1 3 l Z b z • • • pill, . G1 V u ~ N cC N In c l/'1 . • N N a m a s . Ta d s H o a Y • ° M -j A Y 0 V • a N a _ E •YN O i 3 CL E - W • EE.2 N N C 00 2 . C O O~Y 3 F ~ d m • L R J r oa Q 40 H Y 2 q O ~ JC r 9 O O. O 9 {Q ` W O m a _ _ N A O i O O •aL E C E SO (Q ~ F ow D ,d ~ 3 M 3 O JL 2 W Z 2 W 0 a 0