New project will ease
Makakilo’s traffic woes
Campbell Estate announced plans yesterday to undertake an $11.2 million improvement project aimed at reducing traffic congestion along Farrington Highway and Makakilo Drive.
The project could be finished by late next year if fast-tracked through the permit process, according to Campbell Estate officials.
The proposed improvements are:
>> An extension of Manawai Street from the Kapolei State Library to Kamaaha Avenue.One of the leaders of a Makakilo group, formed in response to what members say are problems linked to a lack of infrastructure, says the Campbell Estate projects should be supplemented by short-term solutions.
>> An extension of Kamaaha Avenue from Fort Barrette Road to Manawai Street.
>> A new Makakilo onramp from Makakilo Drive to H-1 freeway westbound and from H-1 town-bound to Makakilo Drive."It'll help," said Bruce Schaper, of the Friends of Makakilo. "But it's not scheduled any time soon. What they propose is good, but it doesn't need to wait until 2005."
The group has circulated a petition for a temporary halt of new-home construction in Makakilo, so that the rest of the community can catch up with the area's rapid development.
Other community leaders, including City Council members Nestor Garcia and Mike Gabbard, are behind the project.
"By fronting the money for these projects, Campbell Estate is taking the initiative to bring much-needed traffic relief to the area sooner," said Garcia in a news release.
"I understand that the Makakilo Interchange projects will reduce traffic along Makakilo Drive, and that is good news for Makakilo residents," he said.
