LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Council approved a move to apply for $800,000 in funding for the initial planning of two infrastructure projects aimed at constructing a major road and trail system on Kaua‘i. But its still likely to be several years before either project approaches the development stage.
Planning Department Director Ka‘aina Hull and Program Manager Marie Williams received approval to seek the funding at a county council meeting on Wednesday. The $800,000 would come from the state Department of Transportation’s Planning and Research Program.
The first project, a Lihu‘e mauka bypass, would receive $400,000 to begin planning the construction of a “two-lane road that would bypass the congested areas of Lihu‘e and provide a more direct route between the east and southwest sides of the island.”
If completed, the project would reduce traffic congestion, reduce commute time and divert traffic, according to the proposal.
The funding would just be used for “pre-plan planning,” said Hull, where the department would determine the preferred route, conduct a pre-planning study, and come up with a funding plan.
Williams said the department is hoping to receive the funds by October, and have the initial project completed within 18 to 24 months.
“This is a plan that would be more conceptual, as we aren’t ready to actually move on to the design and engineering phase, but just a step to get us in that right direction,” said Williams.
The successful completion of the pre-planning project would allow the state and county to move forward with next steps, including an environmental assessment, designing plans, and an engineering strategy for the road.
County Council Chair Mel Rapozo asked how long it would take to “actually see pavement” and the beginning of the road’s construction, but Williams was unsure.
“I guess it would really depend on how we proceed with the project, whether it be a county road, whether it be a highway … Building a new road like this, it does take a lot of time,” she said.
Rapozo said he imagined any “actual financing” for the road would take at least 10 years.
The second project, titled the County Shared Use Path and Access Plan, would provide “advanced planning for interconnected multi-use path and trail systems to enhance transportation options and improve accessibility in underserved areas.” The Planning Department would also receive $400,000 for a similar initial project and use the funding for a similar purpose.
Williams said the project aims to connect prior trail projects and concepts on the island to create a wide network of trails.
“We don’t have an actual master plan dedicated to this countywide network that connects all these various projects, whether they’re initiated by the state or the county or community. So that’s what this plan would try to accomplish,” she said.
“We’ll be able to connect future projects to funding sources and also prioritize segments as well,” she said, adding that the conceptual project would create a “clear vision” for how to proceed.
Even though all council members voted unanimously in support of the project, there was concern, notably from Rapozo, that plans may not materialize.
“I’m gonna be supporting the funds because I agree we need the plan. But we must not forget that plans are a convenient excuse for politicians,” he said.
“This is 800 grand were talking about today, but it’s not our money, it’s state money,” he said.
Rapozo added that the county needs to take responsibility for the projects and consider “a real plan” upon their completion.
“Otherwise, we’re just making consultants very, very wealthy,” he said.
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Emma Grunwald, reporter, can be reached 808-245-0441 or
egrunwald@thegardenisland.com.
