Posted on: Tuesday, July 6, 2004
Waimanalo roadwork slated to begin in 2006
| • | Map: Waimanalo road project plan |
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
WAIMANALO — A dangerous three-mile stretch of Kalaniana'ole Highway through this tiny community is scheduled to undergo major safety improvements for the first time in decades, with new left-turn lanes, bus pullouts and repair to a risky "S" curve near Olomana Golf Links.
The work, estimated to cost between $35 million and $55 million, is to begin in 2006 and will be done in phases.
Residents had objected to previous attempts to upgrade the two-lane highway, but those who have been involved with the planning of this project say it improves safety while maintaining the town's country character.
The community had been seeking safety measures from the Department of Transportation for more than a decade but turned down a plan eight years ago to widen the road to four lanes from Olomana Golf Links to Waimanalo Beach Park.
Residents waited six more years for the state to draw up a modified plan, which went nowhere until two recent horrific accidents, said Andrew Jamila Jr., a Waimanalo Neighborhood Board member.
Lorrie-Ann Wiley, 32, died in a head-on collision outside Olomana Golf Links when a drunken driver crossed into her lane in January 2001. Another head-on collision, in February 2003, killed Ramus Seabury, 62, after a motorist fell asleep at the wheel.
"It's really sad that it takes a death before people will do something," Jamila said. "When Lorrie passed on, they let us put in the sucker cups (speed bumps). Only when Mr. Seabury died did they let us put up the barriers."
The barriers are marked by black tire marks and other scrapes that indicate they have been struck by vehicles.
During weekday rush hour, traffic moves slowly through Waimanalo, but on weekends traffic also can be at a near standstill as people flock to the area to enjoy its beautiful beaches.
Installing left-turn lanes will prevent illegal passing, and building bus pullouts will stop drivers from trying to pass stopped buses, officials say.
The improvements would begin just outside of town, where the merge lane at the Kailua end would be moved back, forcing traffic sooner from two lanes into one, said Scott Ishikawa, DOT spokesman.
Near Olomana Golf Links, where numerous accidents have occurred on a dangerous "S" curve, temporary barriers installed after Seabury's death would be made permanent and cover more ground.
Openings between the barriers will remain to allow traffic to cross over from the golf course and the New Town & Country Stables. Seven left-turn lanes will be added within the existing highway from the golf course to Waimanalo Beach Park — at Flamingo Road and Kumuhau, Humuniki, Mekia, Mo'ole, Inoaole and Aloiloi streets. Where there's room, bus pullouts and shelter lanes for vehicles turning left onto Kalaniana'ole Highway from side streets also will be added.
A grass median is planned in front of the school to help slow traffic and improve safety, Ishikawa said.
"This is based on what the community wants," he said. "We're not going to widen the road and will do the project within the present right-of-way."
The barrier segment of the project is in the planning stage, and DOT would need to ask the Legislature for more money next year for design and construction, Ishikawa said.
Federal money would be sought to cover 80 percent of the cost, with the state covering the rest, he said. Because of the high cost, the project would be done in phases, he said.
The community didn't want more traffic lights, but at an informational meeting with DOT officials last week, residents asked to have a pedestrian-activated light at Mo'ole Street, said Harriet Seabury, widow of Ramus Seabury.
Seabury said she was most concerned with the area where her husband died and is satisfied that the state is addressing the problem. Since the temporary barriers went up, at least six vehicles have hit them, she said.
"I don't want anybody to go through what I went through, what I'm still going through," Seabury said.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
