HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2016-31COUNTY COUNCIL
COUNTY OF KAUAI
A Re5olutiun No. �6 -a
RESOLUTION URGING GOVERNOR DAVID Y. IGE, THE KAUAI
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE URGENCY AND
IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION WITHIN
THE KAPA`A- WAILUA TRAFFIC CORRIDOR
WHEREAS, Kuhi6 Highway (Route 56) and Kaumuali`i Highway (Route 50)
are the main transportation arteries for the County of Kauai and fall under the
jurisdiction of the State Department of Transportation (DOT); and
WHEREAS, the County is responsible for public transportation services and
County roads, and the State of Hawaii is responsible for State highways; and
WHEREAS, almost the entire stretch of State Highway from Kawaihau Road
to Maluhia Road is rated LOS -F, the very lowest by State standards; and
WHEREAS, traffic on Kuhi6 Highway in the Kapa`a — Wailua Traffic
Corridor is often in gridlock, costing residents hours of wasted time each day and
causing residents to be late to medical appointments, work, and air travel; and
WHEREAS, the traffic gridlock would also make evacuation during an
emergency, such as a tsunami warning, nearly impossible; and
WHEREAS, residents and visitors to Kauai are frustrated and disappointed
by the extreme traffic congestion and are becoming increasingly vocal of their
frustration, even taking to social media and websites to express their
dissatisfaction, which may cause a ripple effect of negative publicity for our island;
and
WHEREAS, the constant traffic congestion in the Kapa`a — Wailua Traffic
Corridor is limiting the development of new housing opportunities on Kauai's east
side due to project approval delays because of traffic concerns; and
WHEREAS, due to traffic congestion, many people may increasingly be
avoiding the Kapa`a Town core, which hurts small businesses located in this area;
and
WHEREAS, the Council recognizes that reducing traffic congestion requires a
comprehensive long term multi -modal approach that includes expanding public
transportation options as well as expanding highway capacity; and
WHEREAS, State officials have stated in the past that the State DOT is
proposing to add a fourth lane from north of the Wailua River to the existing Route
581, commonly referred to as the Kapa`a Bypass Road; and
WHEREAS, State officials have also stated that funding for an additional
fourth lane has been included in the State's budget; and
WHEREAS, the fourth -lane expansion will cover less than one mile of
distance; and
WHEREAS, the addition of a fourth lane and related improvements are
expected to significantly improve traffic conditions in the Kapa`a - Wailua Traffic
Corridor; and
WHEREAS, though approved and funded, this project has languished for
years and failed to move forward; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI,
STATE OF HAWAII, that the Kauai County Council strongly encourages
Governor David Y. Ige, the State Department of Transportation, and the Kauai
Legislative Delegation to acknowledge the urgency and importance of addressing
the extreme traffic congestion existing within the Kapa`a - Wailua Traffic Corridor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kauai County Council further
requests that the State DOT accelerate the development of highway improvements
in recognition of the emergency situation that exists.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Governor David Y. Ige, State Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, State
Representative Derek S. K. Kawakami, State Representative
Daynette "Dee" Morikawa, State Representative James Kunane Tokioka, Mayor
Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., State DOT Director Ford Fuchigami, and State District
Engineer Lawrence J. Dill, P.E.
Introduced by:
GARY L. HOOSER
V: \RESOLUTIONS \2014 -2016 TERM \Traffic Congestion State Highways - GH- YS_lc.docx
Certificate Of fboption
Ve berebp certifp that Resolution ,Qo. 2016 -31
Wa,5 abopteb by the (Council of tlje CCountp of Raua`i, _&tate of
�)aboai`i, libu`e, Raua`i, J�aWai`i, on March 9, 2016.
untp Clerk CCljairman & Vre ibing (officer
Dateb March 10, 2016
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Certificate Of fboption
Ve berebp certifp that Resolution ,Qo. 2016 -31
Wa,5 abopteb by the (Council of tlje CCountp of Raua`i, _&tate of
�)aboai`i, libu`e, Raua`i, J�aWai`i, on March 9, 2016.
untp Clerk CCljairman & Vre ibing (officer
Dateb March 10, 2016