HONOLULU – Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said on Wednesday that although he will not request funding for special projects this year, he will ask Governor Neil Abercrombie to release funding that was set aside in the 2009 legislative session for
HONOLULU – Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said on Wednesday that although he will not request funding for special projects this year, he will ask Governor Neil Abercrombie to release funding that was set aside in the 2009 legislative session for improvements to the Wailua emergency bypass road, a county press release stated.
Carvalho, speaking during a joint hearing of the House Finance and Senate Ways and Means committees, acknowledged state Legislature for collaborating with the county of Kaua‘i over the last year “during a very challenging time,” the release stated.
“Emergencies and traffic crashes on Kuhi‘o Highway in Wailua have required the closure of the highway for extended periods of time over the last few years, making it necessary for the emergency bypass road to be used during the closures,” said Carvalho in an e-mail Wednesday.
Originally designed as a cane haul road, Carvalho said, the bypass needs to be improved for the safety of the public during emergency use.
The mayor is requesting $950,000 for improvements to the road, which represents 50 percent of the project. The remaining funds needed for the project would be matched by the county.
“The scope of the improvements covered by this request include the planning and implementation process for reconstruction of some sections of the road base, general resurfacing for a single-lane, one-way traffic road and safety enhancements, such as guardrails, signage and delineators,” Carvalho said.
The bypass will remain a critical lifeline for Kaua‘i during Kuhi‘o Highway closures until the state Department of Transportation implements long-range improvements to the highway, according to Carvalho.
Carvalho was thankful for last year’s appropriation, which will be utilized for the development of the Kapa‘a stadium complex, according to the release.
Also included in the mayor’s testimony was a discussion on the county’s budget for the current fiscal year and preparations for the upcoming fiscal year with an emphasis on the retention of the county’s share of the transient accommodations tax “being critical to maintaining Kaua‘i County’s stable financial condition,” the release stated.
The mayor also said the package of bills to be submitted this year by the Hawai‘i Council of Mayors “represent a common voice on issues that impact the entire state.”
