Public Information Meeting #1. Pā ia Community Center 5:30 PM 8:00 PM

Transcription

1 Public Information Meeting #1 Pā ia Community Center 5:30 PM 8:00 PM October 22, 2008

2 Overview of Tonight s Meeting Pā ia Mini Bypass Pā ia Relief Route Project Description and Study Area Context t Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Process Formation of a Pā ia Relief Route Advisory Group (PRAG) Public Involvement Next Steps/Next Meeting Questions and Comments

3 Pā ia Mini Bypass Opened July 2006 One-lane paved road between Hāna Hwy and Baldwin Ave Cooperative effort HDOT built half-mile shoulder on Hāna Hwy Maui County connected the bypass road with Baldwin Avenue A&B provided the land and paid the contractor to pave the approximately 2,000 foot mini bypass roadway Hours of operation 1:00 pm 6:30 pm Mondays thru Saturdays Including holidays Source: The Maui News, March 16, 2007 Intersection of Mini Bypass & Baldwin Ave. Intersection of Mini Bypass & Baldwin Ave.

4 Pā ia Relief Route Project Description The Hawai i Department of Transportation (HDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), proposes to address traffic congestion on Hana Highway (HWY 36) in and around Pā ia Town. Intersection of Hāna Hwy & Baldwin Ave

5 Pā ia Relief Route Project Description Hana Highway may be improved and/or a new roadway could be constructed around Pā ia Town. The community will have an advisory role regarding improvements and alternate routes. Traffic backed-up on Hāna Hwy

6 Project Study Area

7 Your Participation is Important Pā ia Relief Route Advisory Group Project Web Site: Comment Sheets There will be 2 more Public Information Meetings There will be surveys and small group meetings to make sure that t we have a true understanding di of the community's needs and desires

8 Environmental Review Process Context Sensitive Solutions Process Form Advisory Group Advisory Group Meetings Public Information Meetings

9 Context Sensitive i Solutions Paris-Lexington Road, Kentucky designed using a CSS-based process

10 What is Context Sensitive Solutions? New approach to traditional transportation planning You take the unique surroundings of the area into consideration when making decisions Decisions are not only based on traffic safety and efficiency Try to achieve a balance between the project s goals and the community s values

11 Are there ways to improve today s traffic, and to accommodate future travel needs, while retaining i the quality of life that attracts us to live in this area? Pedestrians crossing Hāna Hwy

12 The response to that question requires that this project proceed with a full understanding of previous study efforts and the opportunity for new concepts. Intersection of Hāna Hwy & Baldwin Ave

13 Examples of Possible Improvements Widening Build new roadway around Paia Bike paths / bike facilities Add lanes Walking paths Intersection improvements Shoulder treatment Treatment of utilities Pedestrians along Hāna Hwy

14 Bicycles and Walkers How could Hana Highway be designed so it can be safely used by bicyclists and pedestrians? Examples include: Share the road with vehicles Separate pathways for shared use between bikes and pedestrians Pedestrian & bicycle on Hāna Hwy

15 Maintain Rural Character How could Hana Highway be improved so it maintains the rural character and scale of Pā ia Town? Should on street parking remain? Should pedestrian crossings be created at locations besides at intersections? Pd ti i Hā H Maintain existing lane widths? Pedestrians crossing Hāna Hwy

16 Pā ia Relief Route Advisory Group (PRAG) Step 1 Create an Advisory Group from community members Advisory Group agrees upon rules for how they will work together Advisory Group starts the process by defining the Purpose and Need for the project, and then brainstorm alternatives Kea au-pāhoa Road Improvements Advisory Group

17 Pā ia Relief Route Advisory Group (PRAG) The wide range of alternatives will be narrowed down to reasonable alternatives that will be studied d in the EIS The Advisory Group will review the EIS s technical studies A public information meeting will be held to review the Draft EIS Kea au-pāhoa Road Improvements Advisory Group

18 Pā ia Relief Route Advisory Group (PRAG) Advisory Group will be formed from members of this community, affected agencies and other interested parties Please fill out an Application here tonight or on website to become a member. State DOT will select members of the Advisory Group to ensure there is a wide representation We expect the Advisory Group to commit to the duration of the planning gprocess Application period is open until Friday December 5, 2008 If you know of anyone who may be interested please have If you know of anyone who may be interested, please have them contact us.

19 Duties of Advisory Group Members Advisory Group meetings will have a Facilitator Advisory Group members are expected to attend all the meetings, to come prepared, and to engage in respectful dialogue Advisory Group members will sign a Charter that outlines their duties to each other and to the community A pedestrian crosswalk on Hāna Hwy

20 Where else has CSS been done? Context Sensitive Solutions process was used in Kaua i to incorporate community ideas for design and maintenance of rural Hanalei Road CSS process is currently underway for Honoapi ilani Highway here on Maui; that process started last April CSS is being used on the Big Island for the Kea au Pāhoa Roadway Improvements project which h started earlier this year

21 How else to become involved All Advisory Group meetings will be open to everyone and a summary of those meetings will be posted on the website There will be two more Public Information Meetings about the project There will be surveys and small group meetings to make sure that we have a true understanding of the community s needs and desires

22 Next Steps / Next Meetings Application deadline for PRAG December 5, 2008 Formation of PRAG December/January PRAG Meetings & Public 1st & 2 nd Quarters 2009 Information Meetings Start NEPA Environmental 3 rd Quarter 2009 Process PRAG = Pā ia Relief Route Advisory Group

23 Questions and Comments If you have comments about the project, or would like to be considered for the Advisory Group Fill out Comment Sheet Fill out Advisory Group application Complete tonight, mail in or go to website

24 For More Information HDOT Contact Mr. Wayne Kawahara Phone: Fax: Mail: Highways Planning Branch State Department of Transportation 869 Punchbowl Street, Room 301 Honolulu, HI

25 Please visit the exhibits and give your comments Thank you for attending!