THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2896
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR HIGHWAY WIDENING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the United States Congress recently passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes more than $100,000,000,000 in new funds to invest in the nation's roads, bridges, and major infrastructure projects.  These funds can serve as the source of funding for necessary widening of Queen Ka‘ahumanu highway and Kuakini highway between Henry street and Kamehameha III road on the island of Hawai‘i.

     The legislature further finds that the rapidly growing population in west Hawai‘i has contributed to chronic vehicular traffic on Queen Ka‘ahumanu highway and Kuakini highway between Henry street and Kamehameha III road on Hawai‘i island that typically lasts several hours in the mornings and evenings.  With a higher number of accidents at the bottleneck where the Queen Ka‘ahumanu and Kuakini highways merge, the thoroughfare that serves as south Kona's critical lifeline to Kailua-Kona is often compromised for hours at a time.

     As the department of transportation has identified safety and preservation projects as its highest priorities, the legislature finds that the widening of Queen Ka‘ahumanu highway and Kuakini highway between Henry street and Kamehameha III road on Hawai‘i island is consistent with the department of transportation's priorities and would serve the safety and public welfare interests of the State.

     The department of transportation has indicated its support for widening Queen Ka‘ahumanu highway and Kuakini highway between Henry street and Kamehameha III road on the island of Hawai‘i.  The department of transportation has indicated that the estimated cost of adding one additional lane and contraflow measures is $30,000,000.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of transportation to widen Queen Ka‘ahumanu highway and Kuakini highway between Henry street and Kamehameha III road on the island of Hawai‘i.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the widening of Queen Kaahumanu highway and Kuakini highway between Henry street and Kamehameha III road on the island of Hawaii.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Island of Hawaii; Queen Kaahumanu Highway; Kuakini Highway; Expansion; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to widen Queen Kaahumanu highway and Kuakini highway between Henry street and Kamehameha III road on the island of Hawaii.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.