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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0101.053 1998-2000 o 0 March 2, 1999 . The Honorable James Arakaki Chairman '99 hAP 3 PP] 2 Q Hawaii County Council CC' Clinx 25 Aupuni Street COUNTY CI' Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Councilman Arakaki, I am writing in support of the proposed Ali`i Highway project. I live in Kona and am a civil engineer. I have been following the controversy about the road for the past several months and am concerned that the council seems to be extremely influenced by the negative input of a few individuals without taking into consideration the merits of the proposed project. As elected officials, the County Council has an obligation and duty to make decisions based on the larger community and to support projects that will benefit the majority of the taxpayers. The Ali`i Highway project has been well planned and much effort has gone into designing the facility to avoid sensitive cultural resources and minimize community impacts while at the same time fulfilling the purpose and need of the roadway. The roadway is meant to serve as a major arterial roadway and to relieve traffic congestion from Kuakini Highway and Ali`i Drive. Opponents of the project would like to see the road reduced to two lanes and the speed limit lowered. They are also asking for more mauka -makai roads. It is clear that these people do not have an understanding of the development that has already been approved for the area in question. They are looking at traffic congestion today without considering all of the projects that are due to come on line in the next five to ten years. These projects already have zoning approval and will be constructed whether or not Ali`i Highway is built. Without the highway, traffic congestion will increase on the already overburdened Kuakini Highway and Ali`i Drive and the quality of life in Kona will decline. It is my opinion as a civil engineer that Ali`i Highway should be constructed as a major arterial with limited access. Mauka -makai roads are required but they should be limited. Traffic projections indicate that traffic signals will be required at the intersections of the mauka -makai roads which will effectively limit the level of service and capacity of the road. There are already numerous signals along Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway and Kuakini Highway which add to traffic congestion and delays. Ali`i Highway should serve as a bypass with a limited number of intersections so that traffic can flow efficiently. The County has the opportunity to construct a much needed transportation facility in a location - that is currently mostly open space. I am aware that there are many cultural resources that must be avoided and protected and that there are some neighborhoods that will be negatively impacted. However, the County Council has an obligation and a duty to make decisions based on the larger community and to support projects that will benefit the majority of the taxpayers. I encourage Council members to communicate with the project engineers and carefully consider Comm. No. I p i• O 5 3 File No. p 1:3( C.ou p c4 Ref. Tc Raf. Date { 0 0 the purpose and need of the road and the design parameters that are necessary to fulfill this purpose and need. I would hope that the design of the road is not dictated by a few people who have no technical background in transportation planning or roadway design. Sincerely, Nancy E. Bums, P.E. cc. Councilman Curtis Tyler Councilman Nancy Pisicchio Nancy E. Burns 73 -1487 Hao Street Kailua -Kona, HI 96740