Requesting The United States Department Of Transportation To Conduct An Investigation Regarding The Safety Of The Bridges Along Hana Highway.
Impact
The resolution addresses significant issues related to traffic congestion and safety of both tourists and residents. It highlights the potential risks posed by the deteriorating conditions of the highway's 59 bridges, raising awareness about the need for infrastructure assessment in light of the urgent public safety concerns. As tourism continues to grow in the region, the highway's condition and its capacity to safely handle the traffic load are critical points that the resolution seeks to bring to the attention of federal transportation authorities.
Summary
SCR99 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution introduced in the 32nd Legislature of Hawaii, 2024. The resolution requests the United States Department of Transportation to investigate the safety of the bridges along the Hana Highway, a major tourist attraction and heavily trafficked route in Maui. The Hana Highway is well-known for its scenic views but has recently become a point of concern due to the increasing number of vehicles, with estimates of up to 2,000 rental cars and 100 multi-passenger tour vehicles traversing the route daily.
Contention
While the resolution aims to enhance safety through federal investigation, it may also lead to debates surrounding the allocation of resources for bridge repairs and improvements in maintenance strategies. Given the interplay between tourism and local traffic, stakeholders may express differing opinions on the urgency and prioritization of such infrastructure projects, particularly in the context of environmental considerations and potential disruptions to local communities during any investigative or repair activities.
Requesting The Department Of Transportation Highways Division To Conduct A Study On Load Capacity Of Roads In The Portion Of Maui County Within The Seventh Senate District.
Requesting The Department Of Transportation To Convene A Task Force To Conduct A Feasibility Study On Alternate Emergency Access Routes To Serve The Hanalei To Haena Communities.
Requesting The Department Of Transportation Highways Division To Conduct A Study On Load Capacity Of Roads In The Portion Of Maui County Within The Seventh Senate District.
Requesting The Department Of Transportation And Department Of Law Enforcement To Study The Possibility Of A Highway Patrol And Speed Cameras Along Major Freeways And Highways In Primary Areas Of Speeding.
Requesting The United States Department Of Defense, United States Army, United States Navy, And State Department Of Transportation To Work With Appropriate State And County Departments And Agencies To Expand, Plan, And Coordinate Work Related To Using Kolekole Pass As An Expanded Emergency Exit Route.
Encouraging The Department Of Transportation To Work With Stakeholders To Develop A Holistic Management Plan That Will Ensure Hana Highway Is Properly Maintained And Is Safe For Residents And Visitors.
Relating to the creation of and the powers of a comprehensive multimodal urban transportation authority, including the power to impose taxes, issue bonds, and exercise limited eminent domain authority.