LIHU‘E — The state Department of Transportation announced the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program revisions for the federal fiscal years 2019 to 2022.
The revisions don’t directly impact Kaua‘i, as the STIP is a statewide document, and changes in other locations may trigger STIP revisions.
There is still an opportunity to submit comments.
According to HDOT Kaua‘i District Engineer Larry Dill, the STIP identifies projects for how federal funds are allocated, and regional-significance projects.
The STIP includes the Kuhio Highway short-term improvements project and a Kuhio Highway project intended to reduce congestion and improve mobility between Kapule Highway and Wailua.
“For some time, due to limited resources, HDOT focused mainly on safety and system-preservation projects,” Dill said. “In addition to the Kuhio Highway short-term improvements project, a capacity project has been in development for several years.”
One set of Kaua‘i projects that do show up on the recent revisions are three bridges. The status of the bridges went from “structurally deficient” to“functionally obsolete,” said Dill.
Dill also said the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t significantly impacted how HDOT allocates funding towards various projects.
“The pandemic has not impacted any of these STIP revisions for DOT projects on Kaua‘i,” Dill said.
Comments will be accepted until Friday, July 17, by mail, fax or email at the DOT Planning Branch, 869 Punchbowl Street, Room 301, Honolulu, HI 96813, by email to hwy.stip.projects@hawaii.gov.
Hard copies of the proposed STIP ninth revision can be obtained by calling 808-587-6355.
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Jason Blasco, sports reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
