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Pedestrians must
endure ramp project

Question: I was downtown last week and couldn't believe that, at the intersection of Hotel and Bishop streets, one of the busiest in the area, workers were blocking off all four corners to put in wheelchair ramps. Not only was it a big inconvenience, but it also was dangerous because you couldn't use the crosswalks. Why can't they just work on one corner at a time?

Answer: Various factors, including unfinished work dating back to last year and complaints about how long the project was taking, resulted in the decision to work on all four corners at once.

Work last year at the intersection was not completed "because traffic signal equipment was not ordered due to stop-work orders from the previous administration," explained Wayne Hashiro, director of the city Department of Design and Construction.

In talking with the project manager, he ascertained the work was stopped for various reasons, including not wanting to start construction during the Christmas and New Year's holidays and studying what effect proposed Bus Rapid Transit system routes might have.

If the BRT passed through downtown Honolulu, ramps and signals would need to be changed because the height of bus landings would need to be adjusted, Hashiro said.

Also, the previous administration wanted to focus on Waikiki improvement projects in lieu of this project at the time, he said.

There may have been other reasons why the work was halted, but Hashiro said he was not able to document them.

The traffic signal equipment has since been ordered and received and "we are commencing with completing the project," he said.

Because of "numerous complaints" about the length of the project, and to reduce public inconvenience, Hashiro said the city has decided to work on all four corners, as well as simultaneously work on the traffic signal system.

As for the danger to pedestrians, he said even if only one corner was done at a time, they "would still need to be diverted out of the crosswalks in two directions because that corner would be completely isolated for construction."

The contractor was to provide temporary ramps to facilitate pedestrian crossings and security officers were to be present every day during the construction. The work at Hotel and Bishop streets is expected to last another week.

But be forewarned: After that, work on ramps will begin at Hotel and Alakea streets.

Auwe

To the many drivers who disregard the solid lines, clearly identifying the no-lane-change areas, east- or west-bound, morning and evening, on Moanalua Highway, just past Fort Shafter. Too often, I've had to brake suddenly to avoid collisions as some impatient driver decides to cut suddenly in front of me. I sincerely hope someone doesn't pay in years of pain for your desire to save a few seconds. -- No Name

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