HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2283

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the H-1 freeway is the most critical roadway in Oahu's highway system and would benefit significantly from a capital improvement investment.  The H-1 Corridor Study, prepared by SSFM International, Inc. for the department of transportation, provided an assessment of Hawaii's H-1 Corridor.  According to the study, H-1 is used daily with over two hundred thousand trips in its busiest sections.  Commuters rely on H-1 directly, since approximately sixty-two per cent of Oahu's population lives along the corridor and eighty-five per cent of all jobs are located there.  Additionally, it is estimated that ninety per cent of all tourist activity is supported by H-1.  Further, the goods movement industry depends on H-1 to reach the harbors, ports, and warehouse and distribution facilities.  Thus, H-1 is an invaluable asset to Oahu, and capital improvement projects to the H-1 corridor would greatly benefit Oahu's residents, commuters, tourists, freight industry, and economy.

The study described several major problems in the H-1 corridor.  These problems include narrow and inconsistent road shoulders, which are insufficient for use by first responders and for faster removal of accidents from the flow of traffic.  Another problem is traffic congestion caused when schools are in session.  Traffic congestion may also be caused by construction disruptions, including but not limited to the rail project.  Furthermore, security problems, particularly related to the theft of copper wire, can put out lighting infrastructure for months at a time.

The study identified a final list of sixty-three improvement projects located directly on H-1 to address these problems.  Included in this final list was the eastbound widening of Kualakai Parkway to Waiawa Interchange; and the eastbound widening of Wahiawa Interchange to Halawa Interchange.  These two projects will improve access to the airport and harbors and facilitate the movement of freight and goods.  The study's final list of improvement projects also included ramp modifications to the Fort Weaver/Kunia road ramp to and from the east, since this ramp is a major bottleneck location for traffic congestion.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for the designs, plans, materials, construction, and equipment for three capital improvement projects in the H-1 Corridor.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the capital improvement projects listed below.

     (1)  The eastbound widening of Kualakai Parkway to Waiawa Interchange;

     (2)  The eastbound widening of Wahiawa Interchange to Halawa Interchange; and

     (3)  Modifications to the Fort Weaver/Kunia road ramp.

     SECTION 3.  The appropriation made for the capital improvement projects authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2020, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 4.  The sums appropriated for the respective capital projects set forth in section 2 shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Department of Transportation; GO Bonds; H-1 Corridor; Appropriation

 

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds for the designs, plans, materials, construction, and equipment for three capital improvement projects in the H-1 Corridor: the widening of Kualakai Parkway to Waiawa Interchange; the widening of Wahiawa Interchange to Halawa Interchange; and modifications to the Fort Weaver/Kunia Road ramp.

 

 

 

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