Top road projects make planning group’s prioritized draft

Paia bypass, last phase of Lahaina bypass not on list

Protecting roadways from flooding and erosion, preserving Hana Highway bridges and building the first phase of the Kihei north-south collector road are among the top plans listed in a draft prioritized list of transportation projects for Maui.

Last week, the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization officially released its draft Transportation Improvement Program document for public review. It is a short-term project implementation plan for surface transportation projects that are "regionally significant" or would use Federal Highway Administration or Federal Transit Administration Funds. FHA funds are typically programmed for highway, bicycle and pedestrian projects while FTA funds are for acquisition, operation and maintenance of public transit systems.

The projects would require local matching funds from the state or county.

The plan covers projects planned for 2019 to 2022 and includes projects that the community, state and county agencies favor and projects that can begin in that four-year time frame. The plan can be viewed at www.mauimpo.org. Public comments are due June 22.

The MPO policy board will consider approval of the final version of the Maui transportation program on June 28.

Widely talked about projects such as the Paia relief route, also known as the Paia bypass, and the last phase of the Lahaina bypass from Keawe Street to Kaanapali are not on the list.

Maui MPO Executive Director Lauren Armstrong said that while the Paia bypass was top of mind in a public survey in February, it still has a ways to go before it's ready for construction. A route for the bypass road still needs to be determined, and the state Department of Transportation must go through an environmental review process with an ongoing dialogue with the public.

Projects on the draft list are those that can expected to begin between 2019 to 2022, Armstrong said.

Instead, the Paia bypass project has been designated as a "planning years document."

As for the Lahaina bypass, the state Transportation Department told the organization that it would not build the last northern section of the roadway within the four-year window because of a shortage of funding and a federal mandate to prioritize safety and system preservation projects, Armstrong said.

The bypass project is labeled as a capacity-building project and not one for safety or system preservation.

If other funding were to become available, Armstrong said the state could move ahead with capacity projects such as the Lahaina bypass.

She noted that a bill passed in the Legislature assesses a $2-per-day rental motor vehicle surcharge that could be used for new roads on Maui, although details still need to be worked out.

The bill has been forwarded to Gov. David Ige for final action.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization is a federally mandated group that coordinates with the state of Hawaii and Maui County to develop a Transportation Improvement Program for Maui. Federal-aid projects on Molokai and Lanai are programmed by the state Department of Transportation and Maui County.

Armstrong acknowledged that many of the projects listed on the draft program already have ongoing work on planning, environmental review and design.

For example, the Transportation Department has a shoreline protection study update slated for completion in summer 2019. It will contain a strategy for implementation of the short-, mid- and long-term sea-level rise mitigation projects across the state, Armstrong said.

The state also is starting a feasibility study for a portion of Honoapiilani Highway just south of Olowalu that is vulnerable to coastal erosion.

Work on the Hana Highway bridge preservation program will start in June.

Projects listed in the draft plan include:

• First phase of the Kihei north-south collector road. Plans call for a two-lane road from Kulanihakoi Street to Namauu Place with separated greenway to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists; new concrete curbs and gutters; traffic signs and markings; and street lighting. Estimated total project cost, $32 million.

• Shoreline protection/mitigation. Work would be at various locations, including Honoapiilani Highway near Olowalu and Ukumehame. Estimated total project cost, $15 million.

• Makawao Avenue-Makani Road improvements from Eddie Tam Gym to Kalama Intermediate School. Plans call for installing sidewalk improvements to provide a clear separation between travel lanes and pedestrians. The project includes reviewing traffic operations and making recommendations to improve traffic flow through the Makawao Avenue-Makani Road intersection. Estimated total project cost, $3.4 million.

• Hana Highway bridge preservation. Existing bridges would be rehabilitated or replaced to meet design standards, except with limitations contained in the preservation plan for historic bridges. Estimated total cost, $27 million.

• Waiale Road and Waiinu Road intersection improvements. Planners want to install a traffic signal at the intersection. Other improvements would include roadway widening on Waiale Road to accommodate a left-turn lane. Estimated total project cost, $2.7 million.

The Transportation Improvement Program must be approved by the Maui MPO Policy Board and the governor or governor's designee before it is included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Once approved, it would be submitted to federal highways officials.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.