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Home My WebLink About2025-04-02 PL-CRC-2025-000024 NHPA Section 106 Consultation, Wailuku River Bridge RehabOda, Michelle From: Morel, Makalia E <makalia.e.morel@hawaii.gov> Sent: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 10:21 AM To: Planning Internet Mail Cc: Russell, Jennifer T; Urasaki, Randall M.; Kam, Allen Subject: HWY-DD 2.20230 - BR-019-2(083) NHPA SECTION 106 CONSULTATION Attachments: HWY-DD 2.20230 - BR-019-2(083) NHPA SECTION 106 CONSULTATION - Cultural Resources Commission.pdf; BR-019-2(083) APE Map.pdf Please find attached the NHPA Section 106 Consultation for the HDOT Wailuku River Bridge Rehabilitation project on the Island of Hawaii. Let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Makalia Morel Civil Engineer III Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Highway Design Branch, HWY-DD (808) 692-8427 1 JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR KE KIA'AINA DESIGN BRANCH, ROOM 688A BRIDGE DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 611 CADASTRAL DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 600 ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 688A HIGHWAY DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 609 HYDRAULIC DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 636 TECHNICAL DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 688 STATE OF HAWAII I KA MOKU`AINA'0 HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION I KA `OIHANA ALAKAU 601 KAMOKILA BOULEVARD KAPOLEI, HAWAII 96707 April 3, 2025 Mr. Aaron Spielman, Chair County of Hawaii Department of Planning Cultural Resources Commission Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Mr. Spielman: EDWIN H. SNIFFEN DIRECTOR KA LUNA HO'OKELE Deputy Directors Na Hope Luna Ho'okele DREANALEE K. KALILI TAMMY L. LEE CURT T. OTAGURO ROBIN K. SHISHIDO IN REPLY REFER TO: HWY-DD 2.20230 Subject: National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 Consultation with Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHO) and Potential Consulting Parties Hawaii Belt Road, Wailuku Bridge Rehabilitation Puueo And Piihonua Ahupuaa, Hilo Moku, Hawaii Island Federal -Aid Project No. BR-019-2(083) Tax Map Keys (TMK): Hawaii Belt Road Right -Of -Way (ROW) and Portions of TMK 3-2-6-002-003, 3-2-6-002-004, 3-2-6-002-009, 3-2-6-002-012, 3-2-6-002-014, 3-2-6-002-017, 3-2-6-002-018, 3-2-6-002-019 On behalf of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is hereby notifying you that on December 13, 2024, Section 106 of the NHPA of 1966 (amended, 2006), was initiated with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for the subject bridge replacement -in -kind of the Wailuku River Bridge along the Hawaii Belt Road (State Route 19) in Hilo, Hawaii. The proposed federally funded HDOT project is considered a federal action and undertaking as defined in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 800.16(y). Effective May 1, 2016, FHWA has issued a Programmatic Delegation of Authority allowing the HDOT and local public agencies to conduct NHPA Section 106 consultations with the SHPO, NHO, and other consulting parties per Title 36 CFR § 800.2(c)(4). The FHWA will remain responsible for all findings and determinations charged to the agency during the Section 106 process. Mr. Aaron Spielman, Chair April 3, 2025 Page 2 HWY-DD 2.20230 Overview of the Undertaking The proposed project includes the replacement -in -kind, as best as possible, of the entire Wailuku River Bridge. The primary purpose of this project is to address the bridge's severe deterioration identified during the latest inspection. Work includes widening of the superstructure to accommodate safety -compliant bridge railings and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalks, resurfacing, and restriping. During construction, there will be two temporary construction and traffic detour bridges built on the makai and mauka sides of the bridge. The two construction and traffic detour bridges will be used to maintain traffic flows, as well as platforms to construct the Wailuku River Bridge. Consultations Entitled consulting parties during the Section 106 process include the Advisory Council of Historic Preservation, SHPO, NHO, and if applicable, local governments and applicants for federal assistance, permits, licenses and other approvals. NHO and/or Hawaiian Descendants NHO and Native Hawaiian descendants with ancestral, lineal, or cultural ties to, cultural and historical property knowledge of and/or concerns for, and cultural or religious attachment to the proposed Area of Potential Effect (APE) are asked to provide a response to this letter within 30 days of notification. Other Individuals and Organizations Individuals and organizations with legal, economic or historic preservation interest are requested to respond in writing within 30 days of notification and demonstrate your interest in the proposed undertaking and provide intent to participate in the Section 106 process. Your participation is subject to FHWA approval. Request for Comment on the APE We would like to invite you to comment on the proposed APE. The proposed project is in Hilo on the island of Hawaii, approximately located at 19°43'40.25"N, 155° 5'13.89"W over the Wailuku River (Bridge No. 001000190409696). The APE extends approximately 2,450 feet from its southern terminus to northern terminus. The bridge itself measures 422 feet long. The total area of the APE is 8.2 acres and includes the bridge footprint, construction staging and stockpiling areas, and the highway ROW. Construction staging and stockpiling is anticipated to occur completely within the approximately 900-foot linear highway ROW makai of the Kamehameha Avenue/Bayfront Avenue median beginning just south of the Waianuenue Avenue interchange (See Attachment 1: APE Map). Mr. Aaron Spielman, Chair April 3, 2025 Page 3 HWY-DD 2.20230 Identification of Historic Properties within the APE We welcome any information you may have on historical and cultural sites that have been recorded in or which you may have knowledge of within the proposed APE. In addition, if you are acquainted with any persons or organization that is knowledgeable about the proposed APE, or any descendants with ancestral, lineal or cultural ties to or cultural knowledge and/or historical properties information of or concerns for, and cultural or religious attachment to the proposed project area, we would appreciate receiving their names and contact information. Conclusion On behalf of FHWA, HDOT by way of this letter is notifying you of the proposed Hawaii Belt Road, Wailuku River Bridge Rehabilitation project. Should you want to participate in the Section 106 process, we request your written intent. Please also provide your comments on the proposed APE, any information you may have on cultural and/or historical sites that have been recorded within the APE, as well as the names and contact information of people/organizations who may have cultural affiliations and historical properties information in the vicinity of the proposed APE. We would appreciate a written response within 30 days from date of receipt, to our HDOT Project Manager, Ms. Jennifer Russell, via email at jennifer.t.russell@hawaii.gov, or by United States Postal Service to 601 Kamokila Boulevard, Room 609, Kapolei, Hawaii 96707. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Russell at (808) 692-7572 or by email as noted above. Sincerely, 7''ee7 /<sof-of HENRY KENNEDY Engineering Program Manager Design Branch Attachment _ Wailuku River Bridge Rehabilitation Project Federal Aid Project No. BR-019-2(083) Area of Potential Effects Map awn • 0 150 300 600 Feet 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Project Location ®Waimea Hilo Kailua-Kona • Keaau O Hawaii,/ 'Pahoa 1 Ocean View �Naalehu Legend 0 Area of Potential Effects Wailuku River Bridge 81111111111111111111111111