Drive Time
Light shed on last dark stretch of H-2
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer
The state Department of Transportation is installing street lights along an unlit portion of the H-2 Freeway from the Waiawa Interchange to near Mililani.
Department spokeswoman Marilyn Kali said that when the $4 million project is completed at the end of the year, the entire H-2 from the Waiawa Interchange to Wahiawa will be illuminated.
Contractor Hawaiian Dredging has spent the past four months attaching the 30-foot-high metal poles and fixtures.
Installing lights on the dark stretch of road has always been a point of debate among area motorists. When the state put up lights along the Pali Highway in 1996 from Nu'uanu to the Pali tunnels, some motorists praised the lighting project for improving safety. Others said it ruined their scenic drive and view of the stars at night.
A similar situation occurred in 1997 when the state attempted to place 30-foot-tall light poles along Kamehameha Highway from Wahiawa to Hale'iwa. After strong community opposition, the state scrapped the $425,000 project along a six-mile stretch of Kamehameha Highway and said the poles would be used for other projects.
But state Sen. Ron Menor, who represents the Waipi'o-Gentry/ Mililani district, said the streetlights along H-2 are warranted for safety reasons.
"The lights will enhance traffic safety," Menor said. "They will give motorists a better view of the road and other drivers whose vehicles are stalled or pulled over to the side."
Q. Where will the new lights along H-2 be placed?
A.The project runs along portions of a six-mile stretch from the Waiawa Interchange where H-1 and H-2 meet, to near the H-2 Mililani Mauka off-ramp.
Q. Are new street lights planned for other areas on O'ahu?
A. No. Last year the state, as part of its H-1 Corridor project, replaced rusting light fixtures that were 40 to 50 years old.
Q. Are the new light poles different than previous lights?
A. Kali said the street lights and poles have remained the same since the early 1980s, but have "breakaway" bottoms that allow the pole to collapse when struck by a vehicle.
I came across an accident last month in which a driver swerved off the road along the H-2 Ka Uka Boulevard off-ramp and struck a light pole. The car suffered extensive damage, but because the pole gave way, the man only suffered cuts and bruises.
Scott Ishikawa writes about transportation issues. You can call him at 525-8070 , write him at The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802 or e-mail sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.
