HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	141
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urgING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO make the necessary accommodations to allow THE EASTBOUND SHOULDER LANES FROM the MAKAKILO DRIVE ON-RAMP TO THE KUNIA OFF-RAMP ON THE H-1 FREEWAY DURING PEAK MORNING TRAFFIC HOURS TO ASSIST IN ALLEVIATING TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

     WHEREAS, the commute from the Leeward Coast, including the Waianae Coast, Kapolei, Makakilo, Kunia Plains, Ewa Plains, and communities connected to the H-1 Freeway, into the downtown and Waikiki areas currently takes more than 90 minutes during rush hour; and

     WHEREAS, the State has a strong interest in supporting its residents who commute to work and school, because Hawaii's economy is strengthened by a high rate of employment and an educated workforce; and

     WHEREAS, the Congestion Management Process report generated by the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization dated November 2011 estimated that by 2035, the commute time from the Leeward Coast to the downtown area during peak times will be approximately two hours; and

     WHEREAS, the Congestion Management Process report further projected that the majority of jobs will remain in the urban core in 2035, while the number of housing units in the Leeward Coast will increase by 301 percent and resident population in the Leeward Coast will increase by 291 percent between 2007 and 2035; and

     WHEREAS, shoulder lanes and other methods of congestion relief have been afforded to commuters travelling in the east and central Oahu corridors; and
     WHEREAS, the use of shoulder lanes to accommodate traffic during peak times will be an immediate and inexpensive solution to help reduce commute times, which will improve the quality of life for residents of the Leeward Coast, including the Waianae Coast, Kapolei, Makakilo, Kunia Plains, Ewa Plains, and communities connected to the H-1 Freeway; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Transportation is urged to place on its priority list and work towards the opening of the eastbound shoulder lanes from the Makakilo Drive on-ramp to the Kunia off-ramp on the H-1 Freeway during the morning rush hour to help alleviate traffic congestion; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Transportation, and Executive Director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Department of Transportation; Shoulder Lane; Leeward Coast