HILO — The state Department of Transportation is preparing a “transportation corridor study” for the Hamakua Coast that could impact 50 miles of highway between Hilo and Waimea.
The study would identify possible transportation improvements, which could be prioritized, along Highway 19 as well as issues surrounding congestion, safety and environmental and historical protection, according to a request for proposals.
The report could take 18 months to complete, though it’s not clear when it would start. Monday is the deadline for consultants to submit a proposal to the department.
State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, D-North Hawaii, said the plan has been pending for awhile.
“I’m happy that it’s being done,” she said. “There is so much need. We haven’t done much aside from making improvements to getting our bridges up to speed.”
Inouye, who last session chaired the Transportation Committee, said this study was discussed back during former Gov. Linda Lingle’s administration.
“It’s a good mitigation measure,” she said. “I’m totally in support. I’m glad we’re doing it sooner than later.
“It’s been on the books for sometime with DOT.”
According to the RFP, the stretch of highway has more than 50 bridges — essentially one per mile — and a majority of them could be considered historic.
The stretch represents a third of Hawaii Island’s non-intersection traffic wrecks.
A majority of wrecks involve bicycles and pedestrians.
Flooding and landslides also are issues along the highway, which hugs hillsides and curves through three valleys.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.