There are some exciting updates recently.
The City & County of Honolulu recently received notice that their RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) application was approved. This will provide $25 million in support of the Ala Pono Bridge over the Ala Wai canal, improving safety and convenience for people walking and biking. HBL was happy to provide a letter of support for this application and will continue to support the project moving forward. Learn more about the successful RAISE grant project here, Ala Pono Bridge is on page 50. Maui County also received a RAISE grant to improve/extend a portion of Lehua Ave in Kihei, which will include a multi-use path. Also read this recent CivilBeat article about federal support in Hawai’i.
The City & County of Honolulu also received a Community Challenge grant from AARP. This funding will support a quick-build project in Kalihi to install a solar powered rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) at a crosswalk on North School St at Ahonui St near Kokua Kalihi Valley’s office. This project will ideally lead to more rapid installations of more RRFBs at key crosswalks across the island.
HBL is attending a bill signing ceremony at the Governor’s office on Thursday, July 6th to celebrate the passing of HB600 and SB1086. HB600 relates to Safe Routes to School and establishes a committee of stakeholders to identify priority projects for HDOT. It also appropriates $10m in funding for the next two years to go towards projects and programming. HBL plans to serve on this committee. SB1086 renames the State Highway Safety Council to the State Highway Safety & Modernization Council and adjusts the roles and responsibilities of the Council to ensure better transparency and oversight of HDOT roadway safety measures. HBL serves on this council and represents people who ride bicycles.
HDOT continues work on the Leeward Bikeway project. Most of the paving has been completed, with repairs made between Fort Weaver and Kapolei Parkway. The section closest to the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail remains under construction. This includes two bridges over Kapakahi Stream and Waikele Stream. These bridges have been a delay to the overall project due to their proximity to the gas pipeline and the need to find a contractor to install micro-pylons. HDOT has noted that progress should happen shortly and expects the project to finish by the end of the year. Once complete, this will provide a continual multi-use path from Ewa to Pearl Harbor.
The City & County recently received $4.8m from Congressional earmark to explore the creation of a 20 mile South Shore Path from Nānākuli to Mānoa. This would use existing infrastructure, such as the Leeward Bikeway and Pearl Harbor Historic Trail, as well as identify important new connections to create a continuous path to provide safe and convenient route for active transportation and recreation. HBL has requested to be involved in this process and for our Leeward Bikeway Steering Committee to provide input regarding previous efforts.
HBL would also like to extend our gratitude to Diane Dohm, HDOT Bicycle Coordinator, who is departing at the end of June. Mahalo for your tireless efforts and for advocating for bicycles to be more actively considered in HDOT project. We wish you the best in your next adventures! A hui hou!
Would you like to be involved in HBL’s Advocacy Committee and kept in the loop regarding upcoming advocacy efforts? Email travis@hbl.org to be added to the HBL Advocacy email list and notified of an upcoming Advocacy Committee meeting. Mahalo to everyone for their support!