HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0119.002 2016-2018 P[ to-u.Mcg
CJORfri. I(
COUNTY CLERK
- COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
TimeJ6/% By ,gx
March 8, 2017 Date MAR 0 A 7n17
Ed Sniffen, Deputy Director, Hwys Division, HDOT comments relating to Reso 82-17:
I am assuming that the Hawaii County Administration supports the reso urging the Hawaii Department
of Transportation (HDOT)to release$15 Million of State Highways Special Funds to the county to
perform work in the county jurisdiction. HDOT will NOT release State Highway Special funds as was
appropriated in Act 119, Section 47 to the county of Hawaii. As it is, HDOT's funding is insufficient to
support the current and future needs of the Statewide highways system as it is. Therefore, HDOT has
adjusted its program to focus on preservation and safety,and have been delivering capacity projects
through smaller,operational improvements that can be implemented quickly. HDOT has been seeking
funding increases to ensure the entire program could be delivered more efficiently, but has yet to be
successful in securing a consistent funding increase. If the county of Hawaii is seeking additional
funding,they should not look to HDOT. We understand that there are options for the county council
and administration to consider for funding projects in its own jurisdiction. HDOT recommends that the
county of Hawaii exhaust those options prior to requesting state funding that would impact the
Statewide priorities of the Department of Transportation.
HDOT's long range plan has placed priority on two corridors on Hawaii Island—Route 130 in Puna,and
Kuakini Highway in Kailua, Kona. Route 130 prioritization is born of the KPAG effort that culminated in a
project to improve the corridor from Keaau to Pahoa through widening and reconfiguration of
intersections. The purpose and need of this project has not changed. This project will require a
reassessment of the environmental clearance document, design, and construction funds on the order of
$150 mil. Therefore, it will take time to finalize the improvements and to secure the necessary funding
for the project. We anticipate the first phase to be in construction by 2019. In the interim,we are
completing the shoulder lane conversion project with the signal at shower drive,and will be looking at
the feasibility of restriping of the corridor from Shower Drive to the bypass to create a 4 lane road with 5
foot shoulders.
HDOT is moving forward with delivering a program that maximizes the resources that it currently
has. Without a consistent additional source of funds, large projects will continue to take longer because
funding will be the limitation. We understand the county's request for additional funds to deliver on its
mission. Unfortunately, HDOT does not have sufficient highway special funds to donate to the county.
Please feel free to call or email should you have any questions.
Aloha,
Ed
t\c‘.1-
_. �.
Ref. T®:s_Ref. Date' MAR 04 ____