Second LCC road closer to reality
By Scott Ishikawa
Transportation Writer
The state is planning to move ahead with a second access road to Leeward Community College near Pearl City, though work will not begin before late 2005.
Area legislators will hold a community meeting tomorrow on the LCC road and other area transportation projects from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at August Ahrens Elementary in Waipahu.
The Legislature included, and Gov. Ben Cayetano approved, $5.2 million in the latest state budget for the construction.
About 1,500 faculty members and students use the only campus entrance off Kamehameha Highway near Sam's Club and Home Depot, adding to congestion.
The new access road would lead from the west end of the campus toward Waipahu, connecting the main campus road, Ala Ike Street, to an unimproved roadway behind Waipahu High School leading to Waipi'o Point Access Road and Farrington Highway. Drivers then could turn left onto Farrington toward 'Ewa or turn right toward Honolulu via the H-1 Freeway.
The planned road would be more than a second campus access, said Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Cal Kawamoto, who represents the area.
"Hopefully, the road would help Waipahu businesses, since traffic would be diverted that way," said Kawamoto, D-19th (Waipahu, Pearl City). "Some traffic would turn right onto Farrington (Highway) back into town, but others turning left heading 'Ewa would cut through Waipahu town."
State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali said planning of the LCC second access road is scheduled for completion next month, with the design work finished by March 2004.
Next week's community meeting also will discuss the widening of the H-1 overpass near Waimalu from five 'ewa-bound lanes to six. The project, to start in late 2003, will force 10 households and a church below the overpass to move.
Scott Ishikawa covers transportation issues. You can reach him at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
