LIHUE — Kuhio Highway is targeted for $7.3 million in improvements as part of $41.1 million in funding through the Federal Highways Administration.
Hawaii’s share of the funding is the largest amongst states of similar size determined by number of lane miles.
With the additional money, Hawaii will receive a total of $193 million in new highway funding this federal fiscal year from the Federal-aid Highway Program.
“When I took office, I promised to make better use of federal transportation funds, and I’m proud to report that the pipeline is now the lowest it’s been in 16 years,” said Gov. David Ige.
He said the HDOT team has cleared $245 million and put that money to work on highway improvements in communities to improve the quality of life for Hawaii’s residents.
On Kauai, projects include:
w Kuhio Highway Resurfacing from Kapule Highway to North Leho Drive
The improvements include cold planning, resurfacing, milled rumble strips, reconstructing weakened pavement areas, signs and striping.
Total Project Cost: $5.9 million
w Kuhio Highway Safety Improvements from Wailapa Road to Kapaka Street
The improvements include, installing new pavement markers, object markers, traffic signs and milled rumble strips and hydro-mulch seeding of dressed shoulders.
Total Project Cost: $1.4 Million
“The fact that Hawaii was able to receive additional federal money is a testament to all the hard work the HDOT staff has done to bring down the federal pipeline,” said Division Administrator Ralph Rizzo, of the Federal Highway Administration’s Hawaii Division.
The pipeline, also known as the unexpended federal balance, is the difference between what is obligated for all projects and what we have expended and have been reimbursed for by the federal government.
Every state carries an unexpended balance because of the reimbursement nature of the program and the time it takes to deliver projects.
