Drivers hesitant with new
Punchbowl traffic pattern

By Susan Kreifels
Star-Bulletin

Follow the turkey tracks.

That may be the solution for drivers confused by traffic changes on Punchbowl Street.

Painting dashed white lines known as "turkey tracks" on the road is one way the city may help drivers feel more comfortable about traffic changes on Punchbowl between King and Beretania streets.

Yesterday was the third day of two-way traffic on the once one-way Punchbowl, and officials said no major accidents or snags had occurred.

But drivers are hesitating as they learn the new patterns, and that may be adding to slowdowns, said city Transportation Services Director Cheryl Soon.

Soon said she was aware of only one minor accident -- a sideswipe yesterday that caused no injuries. Police said they had no reports of major problems.

Soon said she was monitoring the area with traffic cameras and engineers during rush hours. Suggestions to improve traffic include painting turkey tracks at intersections to guide drivers into the proper turn lanes, and putting up more signs.

Motorists turning left from King onto Punchbowl seemed particularly hesitant, she said. Also, some drivers turning left onto King from Punchbowl appear to believe there is only one turning lane instead of two.

Backups included makai-bound traffic on Punchbowl.The most congested time, Soon said, was 4:15 p.m., and engineers are monitoring the timing of traffic signals.

Officials will observe traffic the first two days and then decide what modifications are needed. Those changes should be made within the first week, Soon said.

The city is trying to improve traffic congestion around the municipal complex by providing more direct ways to get to the H-1.

Punchbowl has had four lanes heading one way in the makai direction since the 1970s. With the change, motorists are able to travel mauka in one lane between King and Beretania.

Drivers traveling on King in front of Iolani Palace can now make a left turn onto Punchbowl. But those who drive mauka on Punchbowl cannot turn left onto Beretania and instead must drive through the intersection.

Soon said the new pattern is a major change that will require about six months of monitoring.

"We never take the first few days to make any definitive conclusions," she said. "If it becomes a more comfortable movement, more may use it."