Oahu planning agency
approves city’s bus plan
The Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization gave the nod for the city's controversial Bus Rapid Transit to move to the fast lane.
The agency voted 8-2 yesterday to include the $20 million project in a schedule of transportation projects to be federally funded. The BRT funding would be for the initial segment from Iwilei to Waikiki.
"We've been debating this for a long time and (the vote) just moves things forward," city Transportation Director Cheryl Soon said.
The approval is needed before the city can receive the already earmarked federal money.
The funds will be used for construction to widen a portion of Ala Moana between the Ala Wai Canal and Kalia Road. It will also pay for adding lanes to a section of Kalia Road, as well as making bus stop, utility and traffic signal improvements.
The city has already begun BRT construction, using $31 million in city money to construct related improvements in Waikiki starting on Kuhio Avenue.
The 5.5-mile initial segment is part of the 12.8-mile in-town BRT system that will use existing lanes for hybrid electric buses.
State Transportation Director Rodney Haraga, a planning organization member, said the in-town BRT would complement any rail project that may be developed to bring commuters from Leeward and Central Oahu into downtown.
"I still feel that we're fooling the federal government by asking for money for BRT," said Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi.
The planning organization is made up of 13 elected and appointed state and county officials. Members state Sen. Gordon Trimble and Rep. Mark Moses voted against moving forward with the project. Council members Kobayashi and Charles Djou abstained from voting.
"BRT is the only thing that makes sense and can do the job," said Dick Poirier, chairman of the Mililani/Waipio Neighborhood Board.
Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization:
oahumpo.org