STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1731

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.C.R. No. 329

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 329 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO OPEN AND RECONFIGURE THE EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND SHOULDER LANES FROM MAKAKILO DRIVE TO THE KUNIA INTERCHANGE NEAR THE EASTBOUND ON-RAMP ON THE H-1 FREEWAY DURING THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON RUSH HOURS TO HELP ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to help alleviate traffic congestion from West Oahu by requesting the Department of Transportation (DOT) to open and reconfigure the eastbound and westbound shoulder lanes from Makakilo Drive to the Kunia Interchange near the eastbound on-ramp on the H-1 Freeway during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

     Numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  DOT did not support this measure as currently written.

     Your Committee finds that traffic congestion from West Oahu, particularly the Leeward Coast, has greatly increased with increasing development and growth.  In fact, it is common for individuals commuting from these areas of the island to spend several hours in traffic every day.  Allowing for the use of a shoulder lane for traffic movement during rush hours may help alleviate some of this traffic congestion.

     However, your Committee notes the concerns raised by DOT regarding the feasibility and necessity of initiating such a change in the area and during the times specified in this measure.  Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by requesting DOT to only open and reconfigure the eastbound shoulder lanes from Makakilo Drive to the Waipahu off-ramp on the H-1 Freeway during the morning rush hours.

     Technical, nonsubstantive amendments were also made for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 329, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 329, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair