Report Title:

Transportation; Sound Barriers

Description:

Requires the department of transportation to conduct a feasibility study on the construction of sound barriers along the H-1 freeway to reduce traffic noise problems in adjacent buildings and communities.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	150
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
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 in the last fifteen years, noise levels have risen six-fold in major cities throughout the United States.  For many communities, noise generated by highway traffic not only creates environmental problems for residents, but can also have a negative impact on student learning.  As the number of cars on Hawaii's highways increases, highway noise contributes to serious hazards to public health and welfare and degrades the quality of life for many communities.

     The legislature further finds that H-1 is the largest, most-travelled highway in the State, and at times, the traffic noise level from the highway becomes excessively loud in neighborhoods along H-1.  The legislature finds that it is appropriate to determine the feasibility of constructing noise barriers along H-1 to reduce the impact of excessive highway noise where H-1 runs through or near residential areas.

     The purpose of this Act is to direct the department of transportation to determine the need for noise barriers along H‑1 and the possible costs and benefits of erecting noise barriers to mitigate the negative impact of highway noise in residential areas.

     SECTION 2.  The department of transportation shall determine the:

     (1)  Need;

     (2)  Projected costs; and

     (3)  Possible economic and non-economic benefits,

of constructing noise barriers along the H-1 freeway to mitigate the negative impact of highway noise in residential areas along the freeway and to abate longstanding noise problems for adjacent buildings and communities.

     SECTION 3.  The department of transportation shall report findings and recommendations to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2010.

     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 2009-2010 for a feasibility study of constructing noise barriers along the H-1 freeway.

     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, 2009.

INTRODUCED BY:

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