Report Title:

State Highways; Underground Utilities

Description:

Requires director of transportation to install underground utilities in all new highway construction; makes appropriation. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

723

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 264, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§264- Underground installation of utility facilities along new non-federal aid highways; when required; when waived. (a) The director of transportation shall arrange for the installation of all utility cables and facilities below the ground, within a berm or away from the alignment of a highway, during the design or redesign and construction or reconstruction phases of any new or existing highway project, when a determination is made that state funds, other than funds in the state highway fund, are available to pay for the cost differential between underground and overhead facilities; provided that this section shall not apply to a federal-aid highway project that is under section 264-33.5.

(b) The director of transportation may make exceptions to subsection (a) if:

(1) The director determines that exceptions are appropriate due to environmental, safety, research, technology, corridor alignment, or management concerns; state funding impacts; or economic feasibility; or

(2) The projects do not lend themselves to undergrounding, such as: resurfacing, traffic signal installation, drainage installation, bikeway markings, guardrail installation, traffic markings, and enhancement improvements."

SECTION 2. 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 installation of underground utilities along state highways that are not partially federally funded.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 2 shall take effect on July 1, 2003.