HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1189.001 2006-2008
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Murashige, Laura
From: Bob Ward [rgward007@hawaii.rr.com]
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Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 9:25 PM
To: Council Member Yoshimoto; Council Member Yagong; Co U MbJlDilao; Au
Member Naeole; Council Member Jacobson; Council Member Ikeda; Council Member
Hoffmann; Council Member Higa; Council Member Ford`}
Cc: Council Testimony "C'1;; I i
Subject: Testimony - Bill 290
Attachments: CC-Bill 290.doc
Aloha Councilmembers,
Please accept my testimony to amend Bill 290 so that the Traffic Schedules
more accurately ref lect actual conditions.
Thank you,
Bob Ward
Ref. To: P
Ref. Date 111~~t~y'-
6/3/2008
TESTIMONY
COUNTY COUNCIL - BILL 290 - Schedule 42 - Bike Lanes - June 3, 2008
1 would like to thank Chairman Hoffmann and the other Councilmembers for this
opportunity to provide testimony on the subject of the proposed changes to Schedule 42 in
Chapter 24 of the County Code. After reviewing the content of Bill 290 and comments from the
Department of Public Works, I must recommend the following corrections to more accurately
reflect the actual conditions and avoid any possible confusion:
(a) Change the proposed limits of the Bike Lanes along Kuakini from Palani Road to Sarong
Road. The Kuakini construction project extended all the way to Hualalai Road; however
limited right-of-way prevented the southbound Bike Lane from extending to that
intersection. The Bike Lane terminates at Sarona Road. (An experienced bicyclist may
continue southbound in one of the three vehicle travel lanes, while less experienced
riders tend to use the sidewalk - legal (except for business districts) within the State of
Hawaii, and is not recommended. The northbound Bike Lane actually starts between
Hualalai Road and Kalani Street in the vicinity of Sarona Road and proceeds northerly.
SUGGESTIONS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO PUBLIC WORKS ON HOW SAFETY
IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE TO THIS SECTION OF KUAKINI HIGHWAY BETWEEN
SARONA ROAD AND HUALALAI ROAD.
(b) Delete the Bike Lane designation for the mauka side of Kuakini Highway between Palani
Road and Old Kona Airport from Schedule 42. While this is a heavily used "Bike Route"
(and could be added to schedule 43), this is not a Bike Lane facility, and does not have
pavement markings or signs (conforming to the MUTCD) to identify it as a Bike Lane.
THIS SEGMENT REMAINS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITY PROJECTS OF THE
BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2007 ANNUAL
REPORT. IT HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST VOLUME OF BICYCLE TRAVEL ON THE ISLAND
AND WOULD CONNECT THE BICYCLE FACILITIES BETWEEN THE $18M (DPW) KUAKINI
PROJECT (DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY) AND THE $105M (DOT) QUEEN KA'AHUMANU
PROJECT. THIS CONNECTION WOULD ALSO PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS FOR PEDESTRIANS
AND BICYCLISTS TO THE EXISTING RECREATION FACILITIES, THE CURRENTLY UNDER
CONSTRUCTION LARGEST SHOPPING CENTER ON THE ISLAND, PROPOSED PARK AND
RIDE FACILITIES. AND RECREATION AT THE OLD AIRPORT PARK.
Thank You,
Bob Ward
Member - Hawai'i County Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Member - Hawaii County Highway Safety Council
Member - Hawai'i County Transportation Commission