A key part of a multibillion-dollar state plan to cut rush-hour traffic for West Oahu commuters and other motorists is a $600 million elevated highway through Kalihi that has been opposed by area residents.

The so-called Nimitz “;flyover”; project would add an elevated two-lane highway along the median of Nimitz Highway. It would stretch 2.2 miles, from the Keehi Interchange near the airport to Pacific Street in Iwilei.

The two lanes of traffic would go into town in the morning and then out of town in the afternoon to alleviate congestion on Nimitz Highway and give commuters an alternative to the H-1 freeway and its dreaded Middle Street merge bottleneck, said state Department of Transportation Director Brennon Morioka.

The flyover is considered a critical piece of a highway modernization program promising to shave up to 30 minutes of drive time each day for West Oahu motorists. If built, it would run parallel to a planned 20-mile rail transit line connecting Kapolei to Ala Moana, going above Dillingham Boulevard.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann believes the two systems could complement each other, according to his spokesman, Bill Brennan.

Morioka said there would be “;no conflict”; between the two projects.

But some of the old arguments against the flyover proposal—that it would be an eyesore and hurt Kalihi businesses as drivers would skip the district—remain, and opponents believe the project, well, just won't fly.

“;I don't think they would ever sell flyover to us,”; said Ron Jones of the Kalihi Business Association.

He said the envisioned system would block ocean views and turn Kalihi into a “;ghetto.”;

Jones also fears its economic impact for retailers, comparing it to a bypass road on the North Shore that lets motorists go around Haleiwa town.

“;A traffic jam in Kalihi is bad for other people, but for Kalihi merchants it's a good thing,”; he said. “;Those are our shoppers.”;

Florendo Juan, a Kalihi real estate agent and carpenter who usually gets caught in afternoon Nimitz traffic, said he would back a flyover as long as it is not too ugly.

Morioka called those concerns “;valid”; and said they would be analyzed, and possibly mitigated, through an environmental impact statement if lawmakers adopt the bill calling for the raised highway.

He argued that developments bordering the H-1 and Nimitz Highway essentially make a flyover one of the only ways to give motorists relief.

“;We can't widen either of those”; roads, Morioka said. “;The only alternative is an elevated viaduct that provides more capacity. That is what this would do.”;

The flyover is among 183 highway projects worth $4 billion that are being proposed statewide to unclog roads and to make them smoother and safer. But the plan, introduced this week by Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, would be partially funded with higher fuel and vehicle weight taxes and registration fees, costing motorists an average of about $170 more each year.

The proposed tax hikes created a dilemma for GOP state Rep. Kymberly Pine, who represents Ewa Beach and Iroquois Point, home to commuters who are expected to benefit most from the suggested Nimitz flyover.

“;It sounds great, but I just don't support tax increases on the people of Hawaii right now,”; she said.

But Pine noted some residents “;are willing to pay anything”; for a faster drive into town.

“;It's going to be a balance of those views,”; she said. “;But it's just tough to talk about increasing taxes when everyone is hurting as it is.”;