The state’s proposed budget includes $40 million for additional widening of Highway 130, according to Puna lawmakers.
The state’s proposed budget includes $40 million for additional widening of Highway 130, according to Puna lawmakers.
“I’m thrilled,” said Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, D-Puna. “It looks like it’s going (to happen).”
While a major priority for Puna residents, the appropriation was left out of the Legislature’s press release Tuesday regarding the budget’s capital improvement projects.
The budget, agreed to by a committee of House and Senate lawmakers Monday, requires approval by the full Legislature and Gov. David Ige’s signature.
Even then, San Buenaventura said it’s up to the governor to release the money. The appropriation would be set aside for fiscal year 2019.
The budget includes $32 million in federal funds and $8 million in state revenue bonds, according to House spokeswoman Caroline Tanaka, who also said the project remains budgeted.
“It’s some of the biggest news Puna has ever had,” said Sen. Russell Ruderman, D-Puna, Ka‘u. “It’s a really big deal for our community.”
An additional $17 million in state funds would be allocated to extending Saddle Road to Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Sen. Lorraine Inouye and the office of state Rep. Nicole Lowen confirmed. Both sit on the budget conference committee.
The updated budget had not been posted on the Legislature’s website by late Wednesday.
The Highway 130 funds would help cover additional widening of the road from two to four lanes between Keaau and Pahoa.
San Buenaventura said it wasn’t clear which part of the highway would be improved.
Shelly Kunishige, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman, said the $40 million would match the estimated cost for widening the road between the Keaau bypass and Hawaiian Paradise Park. She said the department was told the funds are in the proposed budget.
That area also is designated for restriping that would allow for four lanes with narrow shoulders. Kunishige said that’s seen as an interim measure and might still occur before the roadway is widened.
The funding would reflect a change in priority for the congested road.
The Transportation Department’s updated capacity program list ranks it as the No. 2 priority on Hawaii Island behind the ongoing realigning of Saddle Road near Hilo. That’s up from No. 5 last year.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.