Public Hearing Scheduled for Proposed Saddle Road Extension

Saddle Road Extension Project. DOT graphics.

The proposed Saddle Road Extension in the South Kohala/North Kona Districts will be the topic of a public hearing on May 17, 2017, at 6:30 p.m., at the Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School Cafeteria.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD), in cooperation with Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (DOT) are proposing to extend the western terminus of Daniel K. Inouye Highway (SR 200, formerly known as Saddle Road) from its current intersection with Māmalahoa Highway (SR 190) to the intersection of the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway (SR 19) with Waikoloa Beach Drive, saving drivers up to 6.6 minutes per one-way trip and reducing fuel costs, energy use and congestion.

Traffic between major destinations such as towns, harbors, airports and resorts in this area is currently met mainly by Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway along the Hāmākua Coast and by the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (SR 200).

The lead agencies have determined that the highway is needed to improve the general efficiency and operational level of traffic movement between East and West Hawai‘i support commercial truck traffic and military traffic and improve safety.

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared pursuant to the Hawai‘i State EIS law (Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, Chapter 343) and the National Environmental Policy Act is available for review online.

A digital copy of the Office of Environmental Control Report, April 23, 2017, is available for download. Go to the top of page 4 for the report: “Saddle Road Extension DEIS.”

For the complete DEIS, click here.

A synopsis and maps supplied by the state Department of Transportation can also be downloaded: 2-Page Handout Saddle Road Extension.

The public review and comment period for the DEIS ends on June 7, 2017.

Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School is located at 68-1730 Ho‘oko Street in Waikoloa.