Speed limit to rise on one H-1 stretch only

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Staff Writer

Don't expect any more speed increases on H-1 Freeway.

State officials say a decision to raise the speed limit to 60 mph on one stretch of the road is the only change expected after an extensive review of conditions along the entire H-1 corridor.

Responding to the controversy over a traffic camera enforcement program earlier this year, lawmakers asked the state Transportation Department to review speed limits on all state roads.

That resulted in last week's announcement that the speed limit would be raised from 55 mph to 60 mph between Makakilo and Kunia interchanges on H-1. The review found no other areas on H-1 that lend themselves to higher speed limits, said Jadine Urasaki, deputy director of transportation.

The review included studying the existing geometry of the roadway, stopping distances, crash data, roadside conditions and actual driving speeds, Urasaki said.

While no more changes are likely for H-1, the Transportation Department plans further reviews of speed limits on H-2 Freeway; H-3 Freeway from the tunnels to the Kane'ohe Interchange; Likelike Highway from Valley View Drive to the tunnel; Pali Highway from Waokanaka Street to Castle Junction; and Fort Weaver Road from Geiger Road to Pohakupuna Road.

Local traffic engineers say they doubt there will be any wholesale speed limit changes on those roads because of limited sight distances and other conditions affecting highway traffic.