Work on third access to
H-1 from Ewa may
start mid-year

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Work on the 2.2-mile North-South Road in Ewa to link the H-1 Freeway and a future segment of the Kapolei Parkway could begin as early as mid-1999.

Construction of the joint federal-state project -- a six-lane, divided highway -- could be completed in 2003. The cost of the proposed corridor is set at $61 million.

But the project is not a certainty yet. The right-of-way includes the endangered plant ko'oloa'ula, or red ilima. A Habitat Conservation Plan must be approved by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources before the project can proceed.

Officials believe the North-South Road, by providing Ewa Plain residents a third access onto the H-1, will relieve heavy traffic on Fort Weaver and Fort Barrette roads. Both have experienced a traffic increase of more than 400 percent in the past decade.

The North-South Road could be an integral part of Ewa development for the next quarter-century, officials said.

"It may even be further than that," said Kenneth Au, advance planning engineer with the state Transportation Department's Highways Division. "It will really handle all of the development that will eventually come up in the Ewa Plain."

According to estimates, nearly 2,000 vehicles will flow into the H-1 morning commute by way of the North-South Road.

The project includes construction of an interchange at the North-South Road juncture with H-1 Freeway. Part of its appeal is the improved access for motorists in Ewa Beach, Ewa by Gentry, Ewa Villages and Villages of Kapolei, plus developments still in the offing, such as the University of Hawaii's West Oahu campus.

Between Kapolei Parkway and Farrington Highway, the North-South Road would pass through former sugar cane fields. Above Farrington, extending to H-1, the proposed highway would require acquisition of lands, which now are either actively farmed or unused and vacant.

Beware of road repairs

Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu:

LEEWARD OAHU

Nanakuli: Farrington Highway from Piliokoe Bridge to vicinity of Aliinui Drive.

Maili: Mamoalii Place and Way; and Ehu and Hakeakea streets.

Waianae: Kaukamana Street to St. John's Road; Farrington Highway at Maliona Street; and Kulaaupuni Street from Ohiohi Place to Kaukamana Street.

Makaha: Maiuu and Mahinaau roads.

Kapolei: Farrington Highway from Kalaeloa to Kamokila boulevards.

NORTH OAHU

Haleiwa: Kamehameha Highway at Haleiwa Bypass Road; and Helemano-Waialua Junction to Haleiwa Beach Park.

CENTRAL OAHU

Makakilo: H-1 to Makakilo Drive; and Makakilo Interchange.

Wahiawa: Kaliko Drive from 1992 California Ave. to 101 Kaliko Drive.

Mililani: Mililani Interchange; Ka Uka Boulevard to Lanikuhana Avenue, near Kipapa Gulch; and Kamehameha Highway from Kipapa Gulch toward Mililani.

Waipahu: Kahuamoku Place; Farrington Highway from Leoole to Awanui streets, Leoku to Paiwa streets and Awanui Street to Waipio Point Access; and Paiwa Street to Waipahu Depot Road.

Waiawa: Waipahu Street to Waiawa Road; Waiawa Interchange; and Kamehameha Highway from Acacia Road to Honomanu Street.

Waimalu: H-1, Waimalu Viaduct to Halawa Interchange.

HONOLULU

Moanalua: Moanalua Freeway from Aiea Interchange to Moanalua Stream Bridge and from Puuloa Road to Red Hill.

Salt Lake: Salt Lake Boulevard.

Kalihi: Likelike Highway from Valley View Drive to H-1; intersection of Makuahine and Kalihi streets from Likelike Highway exit to Makuahine Street; and School Street from Jikoen Mission to Kapalama Elementary.

Liliha: Liliha Street from North King Street to Vineyard Boulevard.

Nuuanu: Pali Highway from Country Club Road to the tunnel entrance, including both roads to the lookout; Dowsett Avenue to Pali Tunnel; Waokanaka Street to Nuuanu Pali Drive; Nioilupa Drive; and Kimo Drive Bridge and Old Pali Road.

Pauoa: Star Road from Kanealii Avenue to end.

McCully: Citron Street.

Moiliili: University Avenue and South King Street intersection.

Manoa: University Avenue between Maile Way and Coyne Street and at East Manoa Road.

St. Louis Heights: St. Louis Drive between Bertram and Oswald streets.

Palolo: Keanu Street between 8th Avenue and Sierra Drive; and 9th and 10th avenues between Keanu Street and Waialae Avenue.

Kaimuki: Sierra Drive; and 5th Avenue between Harding and Waialae avenues.

Waikiki: Kalakaua Avenue; Ohua to Kuhio avenues; and Kaiulani Triangle Minipark at intersection of Kuhio and Kaiulani avenues.

WINDWARD OAHU

Kailua: Hamakua Drive near Hahani Street; and Ilimano Street between Ilihau and Ililani streets.

Waimanalo: Flamingo Street; Ahiki Street.

Honokai Hale: Elemika and Oi places; Malahuna Place and Loop; Paakai Street and Place; Waiomea Street; Awaawahea Way; and Paala Loop.

EAST OAHU

None.