State lawmaker pushes measure for new way to Waianae

State lawmakers have advanced a bill aimed at providing some relief to Waianae Coast residents who endure hours of daily traffic congestion.

House Bill 1378 would appropriate funds to the state Department of Transportation to develop plans for the construction of secondary access roads in and out of the Waianae Coast. The bill was heard in the House Transportation Committee earlier this month and referred to the House Finance Committee last week.

Rep. Cedric Gates, lead sponsor of the measure, said Feb. 17 that he envisions a simple two-lane road that could be used during emergencies and for local traffic, rather than a more costly highway over the Waianae Range. Gates (D, Waianae-Makaha-Makua) said the amount of funds needed would be determined when the bill reaches the Finance Committee. He said he would push for an amendment to the bill that requires the DOT to come up with a plan and design by 2020.

“I’m hoping we can start off with a simple road and expand during the years following,” said Gates, who added that he, along with many Waianae residents, spends about four hours a day commuting to town for work. “This bill is a step in the right direction for our community.”

Several Waianae residents submitted testimony in support of the bill earlier this month, some detailing the numerous times they were stuck in traffic due to an accident or other problem that shut down lanes on Farrington Highway. Others said another access is needed for the safety of residents.

“For too long we have been ‘held hostage’ by Farrington Highway,” said longtime resident Gail Gomes in written testimony. “It doesn’t seem to matter what day of the week it is, there is always traffic backed up for at least one half mile due to traffic lights.”

The DOT said the department is already procuring a corridor study that would assess and offer recommendations on a second access route in and out of the Waianae Coast, as well as ways to reduce congestion, increase capacity and improve safety. In written testimony DOT said the study, which is slated to take about two years, could also help to leverage federal funds for any proposed projects.

Gates said his bill takes it a step further and would require the design and planning of another route.

“The DOT supports the intent of (HB 1378),” the department said. “However, we feel this bill is unnecessary.”

Lawmakers and residents have for years rallied for a secondary access route. DOT estimated last year that about 50,000 vehicles traverse Farrington Highway daily, compared with about 30,000 10 years ago.

A past alternate-route plan called for what was known as the Mauka Highway — a roadway running through the Waianae Range to Kunia. But officials decided not to pursue the plan after the cost was estimated at between $500 million and $750 million.

Other ideas have included extending the Waianae Coast Emergency Access Route, a series of public and private roads that reroutes traffic from Farrington Highway. Residents have pushed to open the route, which is locked and gated, for local traffic, but officials have so far said it can be used only during emergency situations.

Lawmakers appropriated $6 million last year in state and city funds for land acquisition and the planning and design for an extension of the emergency access route. Sen. Maile Shimabukuro (D, Kalaeloa- Waianae-Makaha) said she has been pushing to extend the route from the back of the Nanakuli Homestead to Helelua Street. She said her effort is similar to Gates’ bill in that it could provide a series of back roads that bypass Farrington Highway.