The Federal Highway Administration had issued a notice of intent in November to prepare an EIS to evaluate alternatives to relieve congestion on Hana Highway along the Haleakala Highway to Maliko Gulch corridor.

The draft EIS identified three alternatives varying from 6.3 miles to 6.9 miles, according to the highway administration report. An extensive archaeological inventory survey, covering 552 acres, found more than 60 historic properties within or in proximity of the three options and concluded that alternatives “would have impacts on archaeological and historic resources.”

A shorter 2.5 mile “avoidance alternative” was identified by the state Transportation Department. It would have started at Baldwin Beach Park, proceeded mauka going through Poni Place, and ending just past Hookipa Beach Park. The estimated cost was $45.5 million, which was much less than other alternatives with price tags as much as $150 million.

That option did not go over well with residents at a meeting in April 2018.

“Public opinion favors a considerably longer alternative not within the current project area and above the limited funding resources available,” the highway administration said in the notice published June 5. “Therefore, HDOT has decided not to pursue the project and the preparation of the EIS is being terminated.”

A favored route at the meeting would take the bypass along old Alexander & Baldwin cane haul roads and would run from Kala Road, onto Sunny Side Road, which becomes Paia Mill Road and eventually Lower Hamakuapoko Road before ending near Maliko Gulch.

Early last year, the state Transportation Department put the Paia bypass project on hold while prioritizing major road projects for Maui with a new source of funding, a $2 rental car surcharge.

The Paia bypass ended up as the third priority capacity project, behind the Lahaina bypass section from Keawe Street in town to Kaanapali and Puunene Avenue widening from two to four lanes from Kuihelani Highway to Kamehameha Avenue, said Highways Division Deputy Director Ed Sniffen on Tuesday.

“Prior to COVID-19, we anticipated that all three projects would be funded and delivered over three years,” Sniffen said. “However, due to the reduction in the use of rental cars, and the current economic outlook, HDOT will be revising its economic plan and resetting delivery schedules for all projects.”

The Maui MPO, which helps set priorities for the spending of federal highway funds, listed the Paia bypass or Paia Relief Route for construction in 2024 in its Transportation Improvement Program. The project was slated to be completed using funds from rental car surcharge revenues “but funding sources will need to be reevaluated due to COVID-19 impacts,” said Lauren Armstrong, executive director of the Maui MPO on Tuesday.

The Hele Mai Maui 2040 Transportation Plan, adopted by the Maui MPO in December following a comprehensive public process, included the Paia Relief Route “as a medium term priority to be completed within the next six to 11 years,” she said in an email.

The state Legislature’s $5.1 billion capital improvement project budget passed May 21 included $110 million for the Paia bypass. It also contained $40 million for the Puunene Avenue widening.

* Lee Imada can be reached at leeimada@mauinews.com.