SB884

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	884
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
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 it is critical for Hawaii's highways and roads to accommodate traffic flows efficiently, safely, and quickly. The Pali highway is a critical road that serves as ingress and egress for a multitude of communities bridging windward and leeward Oahu. Motorists from Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaneohe, and other windward communities depend on and use the Pali highway in their daily commutes to and from work and for other purposes. It has become apparent over the years that during peak traffic hours in the mornings and afternoons, traffic backs up for miles in every direction as vehicles approach the Pali highway. It is not unusual during peak morning hours for town-bound traffic to be backed up miles to Kailua town along Kalanianaole highway and Kailua road, miles to Enchanted Lake and Waimanalo along Kalanianaole highway, and miles to Kaneohe town along Kamehameha highway. It has also become equally obvious that windward-bound traffic during peak hours is invariably sparse. Given these conditions, it is only logical to determine whether some sort of contraflow traffic scheme can be implemented wherein one or more existing windward-bound lanes can be reversed for town-bound use during peak traffic hours.

The purpose of this Act is to create a one year contraflow pilot project for the Pali highway and Kahekili highway and to require the department of transportation to perform a definitive study to determine the feasibility of implementing a permanent contraflow traffic scheme for the Pali highway and for the Kahekili highway between Haiku road and Hui Iwa street at the Valley of the Temples during peak traffic hours.

SECTION 2. There is established within the department of transportation a one year contraflow pilot project for the Pali highway and Kahekili highway. Contraflow lanes shall be established on the windward-bound lanes for the Pali highway and for the Kahekili highway between Haiku road and Hui Iwa street at the Valley of the Temples during peak traffic hours for town-bound use.

During the course of the pilot project, the director of transportation shall conduct a study on the feasibility of setting up permanent contraflow lanes on the Pali highway during peak traffic hours. The report shall review prior relevant studies and shall include all factors the director of transportation deems appropriate and relevant, such as:

(1) Communities and areas of Oahu affected;

(2) Population densities and growth of those communities;

(3) Existing patterns and trends in traffic flows and densities;

(4) Existing peak and off-peak usage and flows under varying conditions including seasonal and weather considerations;

(5) Peak carrying capacity of the Pali highway and of the Kahekili highway between Haiku road and Hui Iwa street at the Valley of the Temples, as well as the surrounding feeder highways and roads at current usage patterns;

(6) All these patterns compared with patterns, trends, flows, and usage while contraflow lanes are in use; and

(7) Any other factors the director deems relevant.

The director of transportation shall submit a written report of findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2008 regular session, including any necessary proposed legislation to implement the study's recommendations.

SECTION 3. 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 2007-2008, to the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________