Report Title:

Waianae Coast; Responses to Traffic Concerns

Description:

Directs statewide traffic commanders to coordinate responses to Waianae coast traffic concerns and submit report to legislature and Waianae neighborhood board.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1489

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to traffic concerns along the waianae coast.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that traffic congestion along the Waianae coast continues to worsen as the population of the leeward side of Oahu continues to grow. With only one route in and out of the area, frustrated motorists find themselves caught in a daily traffic jam. In the event of a motor vehicle accident or other emergency, such as past traffic nightmares created by broken water mains, police standoffs, fire-related emergencies, and even hurricanes, residents face even greater traffic-related difficulties and delays.

In 2000, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution No. 160, H.D. 1, requesting the Oahu metropolitan planning organization to conduct a study to offer solutions to Waianae coast traffic problems and address: an alternate route to the Waianae coast; an emergency route to and from the Waianae coast; speeding and unsafe driving; pedestrian safety; and increasing traffic on Farrington highway. In response, the Oahu metropolitan planning organization submitted a report to the 2002 regular session of the Hawaii state legislature on the status of Waianae coast transportation studies and projects in December, 2002.

Despite this recent study of Waianae coast traffic concerns, the legislature further finds that leeward traffic delays remain a daily problem for Waianae coast residents who are growing increasingly impatient and frustrated at the apparent lack of timely responses to relieve their unique situation.

The purpose of this Act is to direct the statewide traffic commanders of the county police departments to coordinate and implement immediate responses to the frequent and lengthy traffic delay due to accidents and emergencies along the Waianae coast and to report its findings.

SECTION 2. The statewide traffic commanders shall:

(1) Coordinate and implement immediate responses to Waianae coast traffic concerns due to accidents and emergencies;

(2) Submit a report to the legislature on the statewide traffic commanders on their findings and recommendations no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2004; the report shall identify specific solutions to resolve Waianae coast traffic concerns; indicate the time schedule for implementation of each solution, including the current status of the implementation of each response as of the time the report is to be submitted; and

(3) Submit to the Waianae neighborhood board a copy of the statewide traffic commanders report to the legislature required by paragraph (2) at the same time that the report is submitted to the legislature.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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