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<br />\~ <br />I <br /> <br />REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND <br />INTERGOVERNMENT AL RELATIONS <br /> <br />DATE: <br />PLACE: <br /> <br />October 21, 2008 Re: Comm. No. 1494/Res. 768-08 <br />Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa <br />78-128 Ehukai Street <br />Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 <br /> <br />TIME: <br /> <br />8:30 a.m. <br /> <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawai'i County Council <br />Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 <br /> <br />Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred <br />Communication No. 1494, regarding Resolution 768-08, reports as follows: <br /> <br />Resolution 768-08, transmitted by Council member Emily Naeole via Communication No. 1494, <br />dated September 25, 2008. This proposed resolution Urges Hawai'i State Department of <br />Transportation (DOT) to Create a Reversible or Counterflow Lane during Peak Commute Hours <br />on Highway 130 at the Bottleneck near Keaau High School. <br /> <br />There was testimony in opposition from members of the public regarding the proposed <br />acceptance. <br /> <br />Council member Naeole stated that this proposed resolution is in response to numerous <br />complaints of traffic congestion during peak commuting hours in the morning and evening on <br />Highway 130. Ms. Naeole IS fully aware of DOT's proposal to offer long term relief by adding <br />another lane north and south bound of Highway 130 projected to begin in 2010. Furthermore, <br />Ms. Naeole suggested the use of geothermal funds to finance this proposed project. She sought <br />the support of her colleagues on this proposed resolution. <br /> <br />Council member Jacobson is not in support of this resolution due to unknown costs of operating <br />the counterflow and public safety concerns. <br /> <br />Traffic Division Chief Ron Thiel appeared before your committee. Mr. Thiel provided a map <br />marking the traffic congestion at the bottleneck near Keaau High School on Highway 130. <br />Through his traffic analysis, Mr. Thiel commented that he provided suggestions to the <br />Department of Transportation on their proposed short and long term plan for Highway 130. <br />These proposals consist of adding lanes and traffic signal changes. Although, he differs in <br />opinion on the reversible or counterflow lane issue, Mr. Thiel does not oppose this proposed <br />resolution and encourage moving it through. Currently, Department of Public Works is <br />conducting traffic signal testing studies in this general area and is looking at other solutions to <br />this particular issue. <br /> <br />PWIRC RPT NO. 99 <br /> <br />i <br />l1 <br />