Far too often we are reminded of the sluggish nature in which things needing action taken locally don’t see that action taken for extended periods of time, if at all. Where to begin? H-3, HART, Aloha Stadium, the Waikiki Natatorium, the Falls of Clyde, the Koolau Stairway to Heaven, the TMT project, an east Kapolei high school, roadway repaving and slope stabilization projects in many areas, housing projects… the list goes on and on, as you know.
So there should be a sense of excitement and relief that an alternative roadway is not only in the works for the leeward side, but optimistic politicos said it could be in place in less than a year. Hopefully, that’s a “calendar” year (365 days), and not a “local” year, which is normally about 3-15 years when it comes to well-known projects. Kudos to decision-makers at the State and City of Honolulu, the Department of Transportation, long-time, leeward-side citizen proponents, the military, HPD, HFD, and everyone else associated with this long-awaited/debated project.
Not only will there by a bypass road, but plans include lighting improvements and additional safety features- from the get-go! Paakea Road ran through areas that were privately- and federal government-owned, so this was not an easy process, but the City & County of Honolulu will assume ownership when it’s retrofitted.
You can be sure that wary, leeward-side residents will be watching and commenting every step of the way to ensure that the promised project does get done expeditiously, with gentle, but necessary, prodding and poking. From Paakea to Hakimo and Lualualei Naval Road, the Department of Transportation will upgrade the roadway to ensure that it meets safety standards… within the next year.
For far too long, gridlock has been the norm whenever there’s been a vehicular problem or worse along Farrington Highway. And while talk has been going on for years, there have been logistical problems (including ownership rights) that curtailed solutions. It now appears there’ll be smooth sailing/paving, providing an option for thousands of commuters on the leeward coast.
The accessible roadway will require vigilance for speed scofflaws, traffic incidents, and other safety concerns for those living in the area, but the fact that this project will be finalized in under a year shows what can happen when many disparate parties come together with a sense of urgency; a solution can be found and acted upon.
Think about it…