Your Views for February 5

Design flaw?

There are serious roadway safety issues on Highway 11 between Kuakini Highway/Queen Kaahumanu Highway Extension intersection and Hawaii Ocean View Estates.

First and foremost, the asphalt pavement is in dire need of being resurfaced for most of this highway. The Hawaii Department of Transportation and Hawaii County are responsible for maintenance, of which they’ve done a poor job through the years.

The poor condition of the pavement pales in comparison to a much larger issue, though. There is serious roadway design deficiencies on Highway 11 between Captain Cook and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. These design deficiencies are amplified by a serious speeding issue that has resulted in many car accidents and fatalities.

I think DOT and to a lesser degree Hawaii County need to take action to improve Highway 11.

First, both departments need to evaluate the condition of the asphalt pavement and formulate a multiyear plan to resurface this highway. The DOT also should evaluate what safety improvements are possible between Captain Cook and Hawaii Ocean View Estates.

There are a lot of sharp turns in between Hookena and Milolii, a distance of 15 miles, that will require the reconstruction of this segment of Highway 11. These safety improvements should include expanded shoulder pull-off areas. This will aid the police in enforcing the speed limit, especially since there are a lot of people who drive like they’re in the Indy 500.

There is an underlying issue to the chronic speeding, though. These scofflaws are stuck in traffic between Henry Street and Kamehameha III Road, so they speed to get home quicker. This is why these safety improvements won’t be complete unless the widening of Kuakini Highway/Queen Kaahumanu Highway Extension proceeds.

These safety improvements won’t come cheap. This is why the Legislature needs to allocate enough funding to the DOT, so it can maintain its existing inventory of roads and add capacity.

Aaron Stene

Kailua-Kona