HDOT Highway Improvements to Reduce Drive Time

File photo.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has unveiled upcoming highway projects to reduce traffic congestion and save time for commuters as part of its Beat the School Jam (BTSJ) campaign.

“We’re making meaningful progress to help commuters spend more time with family and less time on the road,” Gov. Ige said. “Because our roads weren’t built to handle today’s traffic, we continue to create more efficient and effective ways to manage the demand.”

“It is exciting to be able to launch new projects that save people time,” said Ford Fuchigami, HDOT director. “While highways funding is limited, we haven’t let that stop us from finding new ways to help alleviate traffic. Soon more drivers will benefit from the creative solutions we are making happen.”

HDOT announced the following current and future projects to reduce traffic and use less money and time:

Kea‘au-Pāhoa Road, four-lane restriping project, Kea‘au Town to Shower Drive:
This project is converting the existing two-lane highway from Kea‘au-Pahoa Bypass Road to Shower Drive, to a four-lane highway with five-foot mixed-use shoulders. The estimated completion time for the $1.5 million project is late 2017.

Project map and status updates:
Starting in 2018, people will be able to track current and future highways projects on the HDOT website using a new mapping tool. User will be able to look up project start dates, percentage of completion, estimated costs and completion dates. HDOT will continually update the site to add more projects. People will also be able to view a list of highway projects data in one complete list.

The HDOT Highways Project Status Map can be found on hidot.hawaii.gov by selecting Highways in the ‘Home’ menu, then going to ‘Major Projects’ and selecting ‘Project Map.’

New lane striping technology:
HDOT roadways statewide are being outfitted with new striping technology that utilizes better technology and longer lasting materials. The new thermal plastic lines include thermoplastic buttons within the line. The markings last six times longer than the reflective buttons. The maintenance plan is to restripe each island every five years.

Lane closure break:
HDOT will suspend construction-related road closures on major state highways from Aug. 21 to 25, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. to alleviate congestion and help people transition into the new school year. During the daytime construction break, emergency closures, nighttime construction and roadwork that does not involve lane closures may still be scheduled.

The BTSJ campaign includes radio commercials that will air during the morning and evening commutes reminding people to plan ahead, adjust commute times, consider carpooling or public transportation and watch out for children walking or biking to school.

HDOT encourages drivers to plan ahead by using the GoAkamai.org website and app to stay informed of up-to-the-minute traffic conditions. The site includes a free personalized alerting service specific to individual driver routes that provide alerts for accidents, construction or other lane closures.