Data back Lunalilo
onramp project

Makiki drivers counter
that the rerouting adds
to their commute time

The state Transportation Department had rave reviews last night for its Lunalilo Street onramp project aimed at easing congestion on the H-1 freeway. But transportation officials pledged to delay a final decision on whether to continue the project after hearing from several Makiki residents who say the change has added as much as 15 minutes to their drive times.

Statistics positive overall The state Department of Transportation released statistics last night on the H-1 Lunalilo Onramp Demonstration Project. Traffic engineers, who collected data last month, found that: » H-1 freeway drivers from East Honolulu saved up to 10 minutes with the Lunalilo project. » The volume of westbound H-1 traffic during the morning rush hour (6:15 to 9 a.m.) increased to 17,500 from 16,400. Meanwhile, the average speed of H-1 vehicles increased to 35 from 30 miles per hour. » Most Makiki and Ala Moana drivers experienced no adverse effects to their commute times with the rerouting of traffic. » Makiki/Ala Moana drivers did complain about the delay at the Vineyard and Punchbowl streets intersection, and officials recommended installing a traffic light with a right-turn arrow. » Travel times on Prospect Street remained the same or slightly better during the project.

"They just made it harder for the Makiki people to get on the freeway," said Diane Chong, who lives in Makiki. She said her morning commute has increased by 10 minutes since the project started.

About 25 residents -- mostly those against the project -- gathered in the cafeteria at Stevenson Middle School to hear the state's defense of the project.

Transportation Director Rod Haraga said a decision on whether to make the modification permanent will likely come after the survey's results are made public, which could be as late as May. The state wants to survey about 7,000 Makiki residents.

Since early August, drivers using the Lunalilo ramp weekdays from 6 to 9:30 a.m. have been routed to the Punchbowl Street onramp via Vineyard Boulevard.

The state's data show the change is working to ease congestion and has had little effect on area residents. According to statistics collected last month by traffic engineers and released last night, drive time for H-1 drivers from East Honolulu has decreased by up to 10 minutes, and the average speed on the H-1 has jumped to 35 from 30 miles per hour.

Also, the state's studies show no noticeable impact on local street traffic.

"The project went very well," Haraga said.

But many who attended last night's meeting disagreed. "This probably makes it easier for the people coming from Hawaii Kai," said Will Motokane, of Makiki, "but it's obviously an inconvenience" to Makiki residents.

He said it used to take him about four minutes to get to the freeway entrance, which is about three blocks from his home. Now it takes him about 16 minutes, he said.

The results of the department's first survey on the project, which was handed out to drivers at three key intersections last month, was released last night and showed:

The Transportation Department has already awarded a $125,000 year-long contract to Sun Industries for the continuation of the project. The contract is set to start April 1, said Sun Industries manager Kenneth Young, who attended last night's meeting.

But Haraga said the agreement can be canceled or postponed.

The eight-month pilot portion of the project has cost the state about $200,000, Haraga said.

Haraga said the only "pinch point" of the project is at Vineyard Boulevard and Punchbowl Street, where drivers make a right turn to get to the Punchbowl onramp over a crosswalk used by students who attend Royal School.

He said to better the situation, the Transportation Department will increase the green light time at the intersection and install a green arrow if the project is made permanent. He did not say whether a police officer will continue to be posted at the crosswalk.

Haraga also said another plan to improve traffic for Makiki residents that is under consideration is to reverse the directions of Piikoi and Pensacola streets. He said the project is still a long way off and would cost about $800,000, but it has gotten the support of Mayor Mufi Hannemann and several lawmakers whose districts include Makiki.