Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Roadway resurfacing
assigned by priority levelQuestion: Can you check with the proper authority when they are planning to repave Nuuanu Avenue from Judd Street to School Street? It was in very poor condition and it got more bumpy since the recent rains.
Answer: The resurfacing is planned for this summer, as part of a "larger rehabilitation of streets" contract, said Larry Leopardi, chief of the city Division of Road Maintenance.
We asked Leopardi to explain how decisions are made regarding repaving, how priorities are set and what residents should do if they have a complaint about the general condition of their neighborhood streets.
It begins with an annual inspection of all city-owned and maintained roadways to determine their condition and to set a resurfacing schedule, he said. The roads are grouped into "major" and "minor" categories.
"Major roadways are essentially on bus routes and include cross-town streets, arterial and collector streets in subdivisions," Leopardi explained. "All other roadways are considered minor roadways."
While the aim is to have the roads resurfaced before they deteriorate to the point where they become noticeable to the public, the reality is otherwise.
Leopardi acknowledged that, because of insufficient funds for contract resurfacing for several years, "We have not been able to maintain this program and numerous roadways islandwide are in need of resurfacing."
As to which roads get resurfaced first, priorities are determined by availability of funds, roadway condition and whether they're classified "major" or "minor."
With the money on hand, major roadways determined to be in the worst condition are programmed first for resurfacing, Leopardi said. Residential roadways are programmed as funds become available.
In the meantime, in-house crews do pothole patching and "more extensive first-aid type repairs" to deteriorated areas until they can be resurfaced.
Asked who residents should contact regarding resurfacing specific roadways, Leopardi suggested contacting neighborhood board representatives to include roadway resurfacing projects in their annual capitol improvement program requests.
"Your readers can also request their City Council members ensure that sufficient funds be provided annually for roadway resurfacing," he said.
In the meantime, the city has a pothole hot line (527-6006) to collect reports about damaged streets. An answering machine will record messages and his division "will make every effort to patch a pothole within two working days" after being notified, Leopardi promised.
Mahalo
To the kind gentleman who used his cellular phone to call the ambulance on March 19, at about 7:30 a.m., across from Star Market in Moiliili. Mahalo also to the lady who gave me a napkin to apply pressure to a laceration above my right eye. Your willingness to miss the bus and stay with me until the ambulance arrived is much appreciated. I hope your supervisors understood your lateness. I required five stitches and am doing well. Mahalo also to the emergency medical technicians. I will be forever grateful. -- Senior Citizen
Mahalo
To all the wonderful people who provided me assistance and quick medical attention recently, when I had a serious medical emergency at Salt Lake Costco and again at Anna Miller's restaurant. -- Karen, a Grateful Customer
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com