Hawaii Senate Bill SCR99

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Report Pass: 4/3/24
• Engrossed: 4/4/24
• Refer: 4/5/24
• Report Pass: 4/15/24
• Refer: 4/15/24

Caption

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.