LIHU‘E — Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced Friday the release of more than $92.8 million for various statewide Capital Improvement Projects for transportation infrastructure. On Kaua‘i, the Wailua corridor, the road to Koke‘e State Park, Ma‘alo Road and Nawiliwili Harbor will
LIHU‘E — Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced Friday the release of more than $92.8 million for various statewide Capital Improvement Projects for transportation infrastructure.
On Kaua‘i, the Wailua corridor, the road to Koke‘e State Park, Ma‘alo Road and Nawiliwili Harbor will receive improvements after getting some of those funds.
“Our highways, airports and harbors are essential to island commerce and our way of life; everyone depends on the daily reliability and functionality of this core infrastructure,” Abercrombie in a press release. “By investing in these needed maintenance and improvement projects now, we will create local jobs and further stimulate the economy, while ensuring the continued flow of ground, air and ship transportation to, from and throughout the state.”
Funds for the statewide priority projects were identified by the state Legislature, and approved and released by the Governor.
Including these funds, Abercrombie so far in 2012 has approved more than $423.8 million for CIPs.
The projects slated for Kaua‘i include:
• Kuhio Highway — $3.49 million for additional land and construction funds to improve traffic flow and safety by realignment of the entrances to Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center and Wailua Golf Course; and other traffic safety improvements.
• Waimea Canyon Drive and Koke‘e Road — $600,000 for design funds for paved shoulders along Waimea Canyon Drive and Koke‘e Road.
• Ma‘alo Road — $230,000 state funds and $841,250 federal funds for upgrading or replacing guardrail end terminals to meet current standards.
• Various locations statewide — $310,000 for design funds for additional intersection improvements to ensure pedestrian safety and compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements; the additional funds will be used for the design at 23 more intersection sites on four islands that have been identified as requiring replacement pedestrian signal heads with countdown timers.
• Maritime Wireless Network System statewide — $1.96 million state funds and $9.55 million federal grant for design and construction in conjunction with the Department of Defense to develop and implement a Maritime Wireless Network System to connect the security surveillance systems for all regulated ports in Hawai‘i through the state and U.S. Coast Guard microwave communications system for the purpose of improving public safety.
• Nawiliwili, Honolulu and Hilo Harbors — $1.08 million for construction funds for installation of new bollards to minimize the movement of moored vessels at the piers and improve operational efficiencies and safety at the piers while reducing maintenance expenses.
