Report Title:

Urban Honolulu Regional Traffic Task Force; Established

Description:

Establishes the urban Honolulu regional traffic task force to (1) identify the major contributors to traffic congestion between the areas bounded by Ward Avenue, Lunalilo-H1 Freeway, Kapahulu Avenue, along Kalakaua Avenue, and Ala Moana Boulevard to the intersection of Ward Avenue; and (2) make specific recommendations to alleviate the traffic congestion. Requires the task force to report to the 2004 legislature. Appropriates funds for the task force. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1684

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to traffic.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that downtown Honolulu and the neighboring clusters of retail, entertainment, and commercial development are increasingly congested, with heavy traffic throughout the day and gridlock at various freeway on- and off-ramp locations and intersecting city streets during "rush-hour" periods.

Furthermore, pending new developments in Waikiki, Ala Moana, and Kakaako make it imperative for state and county transportation agencies to coordinate their efforts to better address the traffic congestion.

The purpose of this Act is to establish an urban Honolulu regional traffic task force to identify the major contributors to traffic congestion between the areas bounded by Ward avenue, Lunalilo-H1 freeway, Kapahulu avenue, along Kalakaua avenue, and Ala Moana boulevard to the intersection of Ward avenue.

SECTION 2. There is established within the department of transportation, the urban Honolulu regional traffic task force, which shall be comprised of members appointed by the governor, with the members representing:

(1) The state department of transportation;

(2) The Honolulu city and county department of transportation services;

(3) The Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization;

(4) The University of Hawaii;

(5) The Hawaii community development authority;

(6) Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kakaako, and downtown Honolulu business organizations;

(7) Community representatives; and

(8) District legislators.

The chair of the task force shall be designated by the members of the task force.

SECTION 3. (a) The task force shall:

(1) Identify the major contributors to traffic congestion between the areas bounded by Ward avenue, Lunalilo-H1 freeway, Kapahulu avenue, along Kalakaua avenue, and Ala Moana boulevard to the intersection of Ward avenue; and

(2) Make specific recommendations to alleviate the traffic congestion.

(b) The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including recommended legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2004, and shall cease to exist on June 30, 2004.

(c) The department of transportation is authorized to work in conjunction with and through the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization to secure any federal funding that may available to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, for the urban Honolulu regional traffic task force established in section 2 of this Act to assist in the performance of its duties under this Act. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.