Report Title:

Transportation; Traffic

 

Description:

Requires the department of transportation to identify all existing and any possible rights-of-way within each county that would facilitate the building of more lane miles and increase the carrying capacity of the highways within its jurisdiction.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

3004

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

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 traffic congestion in the State is increasing.  Traffic congestion contributes to diminished safety and air quality and imposes substantial costs on residents and businesses.  The availability of lane miles for commuters is a factor in traffic flow.  Hawaii is lane deficient when compared to states with similar population densities.  The department of transportation currently provides, operates, and maintains 2,423 lane miles of highway at a low level of service.  Traffic flow approaching a point often exceeds the amount of traffic that can be served.  As a result, commuters experience stop‑and‑go waves, poor travel time, low comfort and convenience, and increased accident exposure.

     The department of transportation highways division has abandoned the suggestion of building more highways in favor of other alternatives.  However, it is possible that rights-of-way may exist that could provide a plausible means of expanding lane miles.  The legislature further finds that the department of transportation should:

     (1)  Strive to provide the maximum level of service, which is free-flowing traffic and is characterized by commuters who are virtually unaffected by the presence of others in the traffic stream; and

     (2)  Not abandon the building of more lane miles as a viable method of increasing the carrying capacity of state highways.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of transportation to identify all existing and any possible rights‑of‑way within each county that would facilitate the building of more lane miles and increase the carrying capacity of the highways within its jurisdiction.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of transportation shall:

     (1)  Identify all existing and any possible rights-of-way within each county that would facilitate the building of more lane miles and increase the carrying capacity of the highways within its jurisdiction; and

     (2)  Submit a report of findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session.

     (b)  Each county shall cooperate with the department of transportation for the purpose of subsection (a).

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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