LIHU‘E — The federal government awarded the County of Kaua‘i a $25 million grant Monday, which will be used for South Shore transportation improvements.
The funds were awarded through the highly competitive Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability &Equity (RAISE) program, which provides $1.5 billion to infrastructure projects throughout the country.
“This is truly a great day for Kaua‘i, and we are incredibly grateful to all involved in securing this competitive grant for our community,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said in a statement. “Mahalo to U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and our congressional delegation for their steadfast support, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, our entire County of Kaua‘i team, and everyone who contributed to this project proposal.”
The money will allow for the construction of three new roundabouts on the South Shore — at the intersections of Po‘ipu and roads, Po‘ipu Road at Kiahuna Plantation Drive and Po‘ipu Road at Ala Kinoiki and Pe‘e Road.
Additionally, the road will be resurfaced, and left-turn lanes, bike lanes, bus shelters, sidewalks, raised medians and crosswalk improvements will be added.
“This project is a step in the right direction by providing multi-modal access for residents through enhanced transit, walking and bicycling infrastructure that will strengthen transportation equity for our hardworking residents, especially those who reside in Koloa,” said Kawakami.
“It will subsequently support our county’s sustainability goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through mode shift, while also creating transportation alternatives for visitors to get around without a car and reduce the impact of tourism on local residents,” he said.
”The Po‘ipu Road Safety and Mobility Project reflects the diversity of Kaua‘i’s people, and we look forward to seeing our shared vision come to life.”
While rural areas are not required to match funds provided by the federal government for the RAISE grant, the county’s application included a 10% funding match.
The county has several federal-aid Statewide Transportation Improvement Program projects ongoing, including the Po‘ipu Road project, that appear to be going over budget due to rising construction costs. Covering the Po‘ipu Road project through the grant will free up STIP funding for these other projects.
RAISE projects focus on safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, economic competitiveness and opportunity, innovation and community connectivity.
Kaua‘i applied for a grant last year, but was not approved.
Maui was also awarded a $25 million RAISE grant Monday for an extension of Wai‘ale Road. The 8,600-foot extension will include two travel lanes, bike lanes, sidewalks, and a shared-use path on one side of the roadway.
Funding will also support additional housing in the area.
“This is a huge win for Kaua‘i and Maui and our most successful year for big-dollar, competitive infrastructure grants,” said Schatz, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.
“It is rare for any state to get this level of grant funding in a single year, and it will be put to good use by improving roads, bike lanes, sidewalks and bus stops, connecting communities and making it safer and easier for people to travel.”
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Guthrie Scrimgeour, reporter, can be reached at 808-647-0329 or gscrimgeour@thegardenisland.com.
