Star-Adv 2/27/16: ‘Plans for afternoon contra-flow lane in Nanakuli’

Star-Adv: “State Sen. Maile Shimabukuro toured the potential site of an extension of the Waianae Coast Emergency Access Route on Friday. Shimabukuro, left, talked with resident David Lopes, far right, about the possibility of a bypass road next to his property. Also pictured are resident Demott Conner, in the black shirt, and Jeffrey Fujimoto, an engineer with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.” Photo by Dennis Oda, Star-Advertiser.

Excerpts from Jayna Omaye’s “Plans for afternoon contra-flow lane in Nanakuli in works,” Star-Advertiser 2/27/16.

State officials are working on plans for a temporary contra-flow lane on Farrington Highway in Nanakuli to relieve afternoon traffic congestion.

The contra-flow lane would extend from Piliokahi Avenue to Helelua Street from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays, where one eastbound lane would be turned into a westbound lane, said Ed Sniffen, deputy director of the state Department of Transportation’s Highways Division. Sniffen said they want to get the 1-mile contra-flow lane up and running this summer but will first present the idea to the Nanakuli/Maili Neighborhood Board in March and the Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board in April.

“We want to put something into place now,” Sniffen said Friday at a news conference on Helelua Street. “This contra-flow is not just going to improve things here. Coming up on Kalaeloa (Boulevard) is going to be much easier after the contra-flow is in.”

The department is also working on a project to widen Farrington Highway from Nanakuli to Haleakala avenues to add a new lane for vehicles turning left, with a targeted April 2017 completion. Sniffen said officials are now looking into extending the turn-lane project to Hakimo Road.

State Sen. Maile Shimabukuro (D, Kalaeloa- Waianae-Makaha) applauded DOT’s efforts to setup a contra-flow lane, calling it a “common-sense, efficient and practical way” to relieve the traffic bottlenecks through Nanakuli.

“It’s something the community has been begging for for decades now,” Shimabukuro said Friday. “I think the community will be so happy to hear that we’re finally getting some attention for this long-awaited project.” 

DOT 2/26/16: Nanakuli Contraflow Lane

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DAVID Y. IGE, GOVERNOR

FORD N. FUCHIGAMI, DIRECTOR

For Immediate Release: Feb. 26, 2016

16-0087

FARRINGTON HIGHWAY CONTRAFLOW PILOT PROJECT AIMS TO BRING TRAFFIC RELIEF TO WAIANAE COAST

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) formally announces plans to begin a contraflow lane on Farrington Highway in Nanakuli later this year. Governor David Ige directed HDOT to develop operational solutions to improve mobility around our state. Gov. Ige specifically requested that HDOT implement a contraflow on Farrington Highway to improve the quality of life for our residents on the Leeward Coast.

The Nanakuli contraflow pilot project will create a third lane of travel for westbound drivers on Farrington Highway from 3 pm – 7 pm every weekday, excluding holidays. The mile-long contraflow lane is planned to begin at Piliokahi Avenue and continue past Helelua Street. During the contraflow hours signs, cones and markers will be displayed to safely convert the eastbound lane to create three Waianae bound lanes and one Honolulu bound lane.

HDOT is in the process of developing conceptual plans. During the contraflow hours, mobility on Farrington will be prioritized, and some turning movements from mauka and makai will be disallowed. Due to the turning restrictions, U-turn access points are being coordinated with the City & County of Honolulu to minimize impacts to drivers and area residents. We are currently working with City & County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services and Oahu Transit Services to coordinate technical requirements. HDOT has scheduled appearances before the area Neighborhood Boards in March and April to gather input from the community before implementing the plans.

“Governor Ige is fighting for our residents and wants to begin projects that can be implemented quickly and improve conditions immediately,” said Ford Fuchigami, Hawaii Department of Transportation. “We are focusing the majority of our resources on maximizing our existing highway system, rather than capital improvements that will take years to finish.”

With the upcoming community input and feedback, HDOT anticipates the contraflow could be developed during the summer and implemented before the Beat the School Jam and the start of the next school year.

We appreciate the partnership with Sen. Maile Shimabukuro who has been pushing for traffic improvements on Farrington Highway and has been working towards those improvements over the past several years.

“Implementing the Governor’s vision is made easier when working with community champions like Sen. Shimabukuro,” said Ed Sniffen, Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director, Highways Division. “We are also moving forward with the study to extend the fifth lane on Farrington Highway to Hakimo Road and we are implementing a solution that will work now.”

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Tim Sakahara

State of Hawaii Department of Transportation

Public Information Officer

869 Punchbowl Street, Room 504

Honolulu HI 96813-5097

Telephone: (808) 587-2160

Fax: (808) 587-2313