Work begins on
Ewa H-1 access

North-South Road will be
completed in three phases

CORRECTION Saturday, February 12, 2005 » Tesha Malama is chairwoman of the Ewa Neighborhood Board. A Page A1 story in Thursday's early edition incorrectly said she was chairwoman of the Ewa Beach Neighborhood Board. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

Tesha Malama says it's about time the state finally builds an alternate way out of and into Ewa Beach to relieve traffic-wearied motorists.

3 phases Work on North-South Road will be done in three phases: First phase: Construction of three lanes from Kapolei Parkway to Farrington Highway. Second phase: Completion of roadway from Farrington Highway to the H-1 freeway. An interim, partial interchange will be built at H-1 to provide an offramp for westbound traffic and an onramp for downtown-bound traffic. Third phase: Completion of the six-lane configuration. A freeway interchange to handle traffic from both directions will be completed in this phase. Source: State Department of Transportation

But in the next breath, the Ewa Beach Neighborhood Board chairwoman says, "This is not enough."

Malama was among the officials attending a groundbreaking ceremony in Ewa Beach yesterday for North-South Road, which is expected to provide a third access to the H-1 freeway for Ewa Beach residents.

"The much-needed North-South Road is one giant step closer to reality," said Sen. Willie Espero (D, Ewa-Kapolei-Ewa Beach).

During morning peak hours, Ewa Beach residents traveling on Fort Weaver Road take 30 to 45 minutes to reach the H-1. Some go through Fort Barrette Road to enter the freeway at Makakilo, said Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa.

Malama, who was instrumental in the momentum of the project, first heard about construction for an alternate road more than 20 years ago.

Getting the right people at the correct meetings was key, she said, noting the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization was integral to the project.

Work on the 2.5-mile North-South Road will be done in three phases. It will connect Kapolei Parkway with Farrington Highway and H-1. The roadway will have six lanes -- three northbound and three southbound. Work on the first three lanes to be built from Kapolei Parkway to the H-1 is slated to be completed by the end of 2008.

Work will be done by RCI Construction Corp.

Ishikawa said the state still needs to complete the relocation of more red ilima, a native Hawaiian plant that grows at the site, before grading work can begin.

Cost for the first phase is estimated at $16 million, according to Ishikawa. The federal government will provide 80 percent of the funding while the state pays for 20 percent.

Rep. Mark Moses (R, Makakilo-Kapolei) noted more new homes and commercial developments being developed in Leeward Oahu will cause more traffic.

"Unfortunately, we need more homes. We have to deal with the housing shortage," Moses said. "We need to do a lot more. This is a tremendous first step."

Some say it will not solve the traffic problem.

"Even if you get to the freeway, you'll get stuck in Aiea and Pearl City," freshman Rep. Rida Cabanilla (D, Waipahu-Ewa) said after the ceremony.

"We need more than one alternative to solve the problem," she said.

Cabanilla introduced a bill this session to appropriate funds for a study on constructing an underwater tunnel from Ewa Beach to Honolulu Harbor. A hearing on House Bill 925 before the House Transportation Committee will be held at the state Capitol on Monday.

The projected North-South Road is "not a solution to commute; it's a solution to get out of Ewa Beach," Cabanilla said. "There's a big difference between the two."