HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0232.004 2008-2010
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W. M. KECK OBSERVATORY
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April 8, 2009
Re: County of Hawaii/State of Hawaii Resolution 8809
To Whom It May Concern:
The W.M. Keck Observatory supports the approval of resolution number 8809.
The Observatory's vehicles make approximately 40-plus trips to and from the summit per week.
Half of those are from Waimea and half from Hilo. The Observatory vehicles transport not only
the crews but also very costly and sensitive equipment.
Our number one core value is "Safety". The Observatory's safety officer has identified that driving
to and from the summit is the greatest hazard to our employees, since Saddle road is a rural
road.
Fatality rate for rural crashes is more than twice the fatality rate in urban crashes. (NHTSA)
Also, the constant hammering and vibration from the road is causing excessive wear and tear on
our fleet. This creates additional stress on drivers and occupants as well.
The road conditions between mile makers 45 to 54 are some of the most hazardous along Saddle
Road. This is due to the narrow, winding road conditions, poor visibility, one way bridges, and
culverts with no guard rails. Road-markings and reflectors are very bad in this section, and poor
weather conditions, such as fog, make it especially hard to see, sometimes with zero visibility.
Due to east side improvements, traffic has significantly increased. Yet in the nine miles to be
repaved, there are only two passing zones. Drivers are therefore passing in no passing zones.
Also, added to the additional traffic, is the fact that larger truck traffic causes a significant safety
hazard in this narrow section. Two larger vehicles, for example, have to straddle the road and the
shoulder to safely pass each other. Heavier work truck traffic also degrades the road faster.
As the road continues to degrade, people are choosing to straddle the center line, which
increases the chance of head on collisions.
Based this information, the W.M. Keck Observatory strongly advocates repaving of the road. The
Observatory therefore supports the approval of resolution 8809.
"L 1>-CA,
Dennis Callan
on behalf of the W. M. Keck Observatory
Headquarters:
Phone 808-885-7887* aoaFAHighway, Kamuela, X 808-885-4464 HI 96 Comm. No. dJ~ T _
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Ref. Date APR 0 8 2009