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Second phase of Queen Kaahumanu widening gets state OK

MEDIA RELEASE

The state Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a Notice to Proceed to Goodfellow Bros., Inc. for the Queen Kaahumanu Highway Widening Phase 2 Project in Kailua-Kona.

This road widening project is aimed at relieving congestion in the heavily trafficked corridor between Kailua-Kona and the Kona International Airport. Approximately 22,800 vehicles utilizes the thoroughfare each day.

Construction is expected to take about two years.

Phase 2 will widen a 5.2 mile segment of Queen Kaahumanu Highway from Kealakehe Parkway north to Keahole Airport Access Road. Other Phase 2 project highlights will include new traffic signal systems, guardrails and landscaping.

“We are charging forward to complete the design work for Phase 2 so that we can break ground on construction,” said Brennon Morioka, DOT Director. “Construction is expected to begin at the end of this year and generate more than 100 local jobs.”

Traffic Control Changes

The traffic management plan for this project is currently under development.

The focus will be on minimizing the impact of the construction work on the public. Work zones will be kept entirely separate from public traffic lanes whenever possible.

The project will be constructed in segments starting at Kealakehe Parkway and continuing to the north. Each new four-lane segment will be opened for full public use as soon as it is completed.

Work in heavily traveled intersections and work requiring lane closures will be performed at night to minimize impacts on the flow of traffic. Detailed traffic control plans will safely route traffic around active work areas to maximize the free flow of traffic.

Flaggers and off duty police officers will direct traffic whenever the public must travel through active work areas.

Progress Updates

Goodfellow Bros., Inc. and its design partner SSFM International, Inc. began preliminary engineering and pre-design investigation work in May 2010.

This work includes traffic engineering and obtaining current traffic count data, complete topographic survey of existing conditions, geotechnical engineering and geological exploration of the project site, archaeological investigation of the site to identify sites of possible historical and cultural significance, preparation of the project archaeological monitoring plan, preparation of the project cultural impact assessment report, co-ordination with the Department of Transportation, Hawaii County agencies and utilities companies, collection of as-built plans for the existing highway and utilities improvements and initial development of the master project design and construction schedule.

The Department of Transportation and Goodfellow Bros., Inc. will conduct the first of four public meetings in late August or early September 2010. This meeting will introduce the project to the public and to explain how we will be keeping the public fully informed as the project progresses.

In order to keep the public up-to-date throughout the duration of this project, Goodfellow Bros. has launched www.BuildQueenK.com and a toll free hotline 1-888-440-7988.

This website and 24-hour hotline will help keep the public informed about current traffic control plans, upcoming changes in traffic patterns and all scheduled lane closures and detours.

It will be updated before work starts as soon as the project schedule and traffic control plans have been fully developed.

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