U.S. Senate OKs funds
for isle transportation

Some money will go toward road
repairs and mass transit plans

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By Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.com

The U.S. Senate approved more than $228 million for Hawaii transportation projects yesterday, including $12 million for Honolulu's Bus Rapid Transit project and $4 million for improvements to the Big Island's Saddle Road.

According to officials from the office of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, the measure passed the Senate by a 97-2 vote, and now awaits approval from the White House.

Some $20.7 million will go to the City and County of Honolulu to reduce commuter traffic congestion and improve transit services.

"I am pleased the funds were included to improve Farrington Highway along the Leeward Coast, and to continue efforts to improve the traffic flow from Ewa to Honolulu," said Inouye.

The bill funds the following traffic initiatives statewide:

>> $12 million for the Honolulu Bus Rapid Transit project. The city's nine-year project includes a hub-and-spoke network, dedicated bus lanes and contra-flow lanes on the H-1 freeway.

>> $8.7 million of improvements to Honolulu bus facilities. The project includes improvements to the Middle Street Transit Center and includes a facility for TheHandi-Van.

>> $7.2 million for Integrated Support Command Building Construction. The project involves replacing termite-ridden buildings currently occupied by the U.S. Coast Guard's Naval Engineering Support Unit.

>> $6 million for improvements to roadways on federal lands.

>> $5.15 million for a Hawaii ferryboat. The funds are part of a $10.3 million appropriation for ferry projects in Hawaii and Alaska.

>> $5 million to restore the Sand Island Bridge. Inouye's office states that the bridge is a critical roadway for the state and its economy as the only access to Hawaii's largest shipping and container port.

>> $4 million for Saddle Road improvements in Hawaii County. The long-standing project seeks to alleviate congestion on the road connecting Hilo and Kona.

>> $3.1 million to upgrade the Hawaii Rainbow Communications System, which provides VHF-FM transmissions throughout Hawaii for federal and state agencies. The system was installed in the late 1970s and is nearing the end of its life cycle.

>> $3 million for the Alien Species Action Plan, a new initiative geared toward eliminating non-native plant pests at Kahului Airport on Maui.

>> $2 million to improve conditions on Farrington Highway. According to Inouye's office, a lack of sidewalks and street lights makes Farrington Highway one of the deadliest roadways in Hawaii.

>> $1 million to go toward Sand Island Intermodal Cargo Tracking. The project deals with improving the transfer of containers between the Honolulu Marine Terminal and the Hawaii trucking industry.