Big Island News: Mamalahoa Bypass on target with projections, Department of Public Works reports

Approximately one third of the motorists using the new Mamalahoa Bypass are bound for Kealakekua and beyond South Kona and their drive time is cut in half, according to traffic studies conducted by Public Works between March 10 and May 9, 2009. This is consistent with projections of use made by the county Department of Public Works prior to opening the bypass.

Based on traffic studies, Public Works recommends continued use of the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass and a review of operational costs and planned traffic improvements described in Ordinance 08.58 and 08.59 Section 2 e. (1), (2), (3).

The department will present statistics collected during the two months since the bypass opened to the Hawaii County Council Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations on July 7.

The evaluation is a requirement of the Hawai’i County Council and 1250 Oceanside Partners. It is part of the 180-day trial to determine if the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass should remain open for limited public use.

Mamalahoa Highway Bypass is a 3.45-mile long road in Kona. 1250 Oceanside Partners, developer of Hokuli’a, owns it. Under a grant of easement with the County of Hawai’i, the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass connects to the 4,000-foot long Hale ki’i Street extension. It opened to the public on March 10, providing one-way southbound travel and an alternate route for residents who live in Kealakekua and beyond South Kona.

Based on traffic studies conducted for Ali’i Drive in 2006 and ‘07, the County assessed that 33 percent of traffic traveling on Highway 11 could be diverted to the Mamalahoa Bypass, reducing traffic queues through Honalo Junction and Kainaliu Town. After several months, motorists will decide their preferred route, and the number of vehicles using the bypass was expected to decrease.

During the first two weeks, 563 vehicles entered the bypass daily within the 3-hour timeframe.

During the second two weeks, 455 entered the bypass. In the remaining weeks, 431 entered the bypass.

The Bypass is open between the hours of 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays.

Special off-duty police officers and Public Works employees control traffic to enforce the conditions of the grant of easement from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Vehicles, bikes and pedestrians are not permitted on the Bypass. On holidays, a special off-duty officer at the Ali’i Gate reminds motorists the bypass is closed. Message boards and news releases also inform the public of the holiday closure.

Prior to opening the Bypass, the County of Hawai’i completed safety and traffic improvements along Ali’i drive, in Kona Scenic subdivision and on Highway 11. The Traffic, Engineering and Highways divisions implemented these measures. The improvements were to facilitate travel only for additional southbound traffic, and were required by Ordinance No 08-58, 08-59, and 08-64. The cost of these safety improvements is $1,899,822.40.

These safety measures to lessen the impacts from additional traffic were implemented to address the concerns of residents along Ali’i drive, and Kuakini Highway and from Keauhou Resort and Kona Scenic subdivision.

The County of Hawai’i’s Department of Public Works is responsible for a broad range of functional areas. They include the repair and maintenance of most county vehicles and equipment; public and private building construction and inspection; engineering services, construction inspection and maintenance of public streets, highways, and bridges; design, operation and maintenance of certain flood control projects; acquisition of properties for public purposes; design, installation, operation and maintenance of traffic control devices and streetlights.

For a directory of Public Works divisions and services, click on http://co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir_pubworks.htm. To download a file about the Mamalahoa Highway Bypass, click on http://co.hawaii.hi.us/info/projects.htm and scroll to Mamalahoa.