There have been several letters here recently objecting to the taxpayer funding being spent on the intersection on Veterans Highway at Kamaaina Road (at the Maui Humane Society). I did some checking and here is what I learned.

The project is being performed by the developer in advance of a planned industrial subdivision mauka of the highway. The state Department of Transportation required the developer to improve the intersection prior to the development so the intersection could handle the additional future traffic.

Improvements include the Kahului-bound acceleration lane, lengthened left-turn lane, new striping and a longer mast arm to hold the traffic signals. The project is being paid for by the developer with DOT expending a small amount for inspections and plan reviews to assure compliance with engineering and environmental requirements.

This sounds to me like good planning; get the highway improved before the development to assure smooth traffic flow.

Hats off to Maui DOT highways folks for doing it right.

Stephen Rodgers

Kihei