McKelvey

LAHAINA – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) last week announced that the design-build contract for Phase 1B-2 of the Lahaina Bypass has been awarded to Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company of Honolulu.

Awarded in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD), the $38.6 million contract includes design and construction services for 2.7 miles of the bypass at the southern terminus, south of Lahaina.

Phase 1B-2 starts at the southeastern end of the previous bypass phase (Lahaina Bypass 1B-1) at Hokiokio Road and continues 2.7 miles to the southeast to the proposed southern terminus at Honoapiilani Highway.

The estimated contract completion date is January 2018.

“The awarding of the contract is a big step in getting the next phase done as quickly as possible – especially when you consider so many of these projects are held up at this stage due to bid protests,” said Tenth District State Rep. Angus McKelvey of Lahaina.

Baker

“This extension of the bypass from Hokiokio Road through Launiupoko to Olowalu will ease the bottleneck congestion, provided that we can continue to facilitate commercial and tourism traffic on the bypass instead of on the scenic coastal route.”

Sixth District State Sen. Rosalyn Baker of Lahaina said she is happy to see the next phase of the bypass getting underway.

“I hope the contractor will do everything possible to create as little impact on current traffic flow. I’m also asking HDOT to study synchronizing the two traffic lights at Hokiokio and Launiupoko at peak hours to see if that won’t improve traffic flow in and out of Lahaina. This may be especially important when the bypass next phase gets into construction to mitigate any impact to traffic flow on the current roadway.”

According to HDOT, the primary objective of the project is to extend the current bypass to the east to further alleviate current and projected congestion on Honoapiilani Highway, specifically through Lahaina.

In addition, the extended bypass will provide an alternate route through the area, increase dependability and durability of Honoapiilani Highway – especially considering shoreline erosion and future sea level rise, HDOT reported – and allow the existing highway to be upgraded when appropriate.

According to the state, relieving traffic congestion is one of Gov. David Ige’s top priorities, and HDOT will continue to work with the federal government to ensure projects are completed in a timely manner.