Pedestrian, bike bridges in plan

Waikiki would get six bridges reserved for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, including four across the Ala Wai Canal, if the city adopts a regional traffic plan designed to make the area more multi-modal.

A public meeting will be held Thursday to discuss the bridges and other traffic improvements outlined in the Waikiki Regional Circulator Plan, which aims to reduce growing conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians and bikers.

"The bridges will be a keen issue for the surrounding communities, especially Waikiki and Moiliili," said Wes Frysztacki, project manager of the study, which was funded by the city and Federal Highway Administration.

Traffic planning is also needed to manage the significant increase in people that are expected to begin moving through the district after 2019 when a rail terminus at Ala Moana Center becomes operational, Frysztacki said.

"This meeting is very important for anyone who is concerned about Waikiki — those that live or work there or visit. It also could be important to those interested in biking, safety, security, health or education," he said.

Earlier participation from residents and business people is reflected in the plan, he said.

The current plan sets a priority to make Waikiki more pedestrian-friendly. The sites for the six potential pedestrian and bicycle bridges have been identified as necessary to fill gaps in Waikiki’s nearly 8-mile pedestrian and bike network. Adding crossings and making other improvements would mean that bicyclists and pedestrians would not have to travel out of their way and could avoid dodging traffic or long waits at busy intersections.

"Currently university students have to go down to the end of Waikiki and turn around to hit University Avenue, which puts them in jeopardy because they have to mix in and out with traffic," said Waikiki Neighborhood Board Chairman Bob Finley. "Also, every time we have a tsunami or other emergency alert, there are people living in low-rise buildings in Waikiki who get stuck trying to exit. It would be a big advantage if the bridges were wide enough to accommodate emergency vehicles when needed."

Finley said the pedestrian and bike bridge recommendations outlined in the study are worth considering.

City Councilman Stanley Chang, who represents Waikiki, said bridging Ala Wai canal could be an important component of the region’s long-range traffic management plan.

"It would improve access and make transportation better," Chang said. "Waikiki doesn’t have enough access points, yet it is home to so many residents and visitors and it’s the center of our economy and world’s premier beach resort."

Rick Egged, president of the Waikiki Association, said making Waikiki safer for pedestrians and bicyclists is a top district priority.

"We have so many pedestrians and they are mixing with the traffic — that’s only going to get worse as more people adopt the trend of getting places without getting into a motor vehicle," Egged said. "We want people walking around Waikiki so it has to offer a great pedestrian environment."

The study, which came out of earlier public input, also recommended other corrective actions to improve traffic and community livability in Waikiki and surrounding neighborhoods. Other suggestions included providing more frequent bus service to Waikiki with fewer stops; implementing pre-boarding bus fare payment and all-door boarding; coordinating bus information with improved signage and electronic displays; implementing bike sharing; improving bike paths; emphasizing early morning deliveries; and providing real-time parking information.

Frysztacki said elements in the study are designed to be completed piecemeal as needs and budgeting dictate. He said the city already has begun budgeting for some study recommendations.

"There’s no capital improvement list at this time, but the city is picking and choosing the best efforts to advance at this time," Frysztacki said.

According to city Department of Transportation Services Director Mike Formby, staff has begun simplifying parking signage along Royal Hawaiian Avenue. The city also is considering adding a turn lane to Royal Hawaiian Avenue and increasing traffic signal timing, Formby said.

Additionally, the city has worked with stakeholders to form the nonprofit Bikeshare Hawaii, which aims to make 1,700 bikes available for low-cost rental at 180 stations in a network stretching from Chinatown to Waikiki and the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Frysztacki said Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration also has recommended another $1 million for 13 enhanced bus stops. The city also has budgeted a bus turnaround for the zoo, which would alleviate bus traffic on Monsarrat Avenue. Additionally, city officials have met with General Growth Properties to discuss plans for Ala Moana Center’s rail terminus.

Improving pedestrian and bike access also has become a city priority. Chang said the City Council last year passed a resolution for the Complete Streets Plan, a policy that encourages the development of transportation facilities or projects that are planned, designed, operated and maintained to provide safe mobility for all users.

"It’s been getting implemented as the projects come up. I would certainly be an advocate for funding any Waikiki improvements that fit into the big budget picture," he said.

Frysztacki said the outcome of a pending Army Corps of Engineers Ala Wai Watershed Analysis will determine the eventual bridge timetable.

"That could be many years out," he said.

But before that happens, Frysztacki said more public input is needed.

"This will help to define the next step so we can come back to the community and say, ‘Based on what you told us, this is what this proposal looks like now and this is what it costs,’" he said. "The Thursday meeting will help design that process and set priorities."