2/22/2023 0 Comments Kaahumanu overpass jumperIn 2011, the EIS process for the extension was resumed, followed by the publication of a preparation notice in May 2012 and the draft’s release in April 2017. Army purchased for training the land the road was to cross, requiring a supplemental EIS that wasn’t completed until 2010. That’s when an EIS for the extension began, though it was delayed for years due to uncertainty about the western terminus of the re-aligned Saddle Road that arose when the U.S. In October 1997, a draft EIS for the project was published with a final EIS released September 1999. By May 1994, public scoping meetings were held for the preparation of an EIS. The effort to modernize Saddle Road from Mamalahoa Highway to Hilo dates to February 1991, when an interagency scoping meeting was held in Honolulu to discuss improvements of the roadway within PTA. For years, the county maintained the state-owned roadway until the 1980s when a push for the state to take responsibility began, according to West Hawaii Today archives and previous environmental studies conducted for the roadway. Inouye Highway post-modernization and western realignment, was originally built in 1942 as a one-lane road to connect military training facilities. Saddle Road, most of which was renamed Daniel K. State officials have previously said a proejct schedule would be set once the EIS is finalized. The others would take the road farther north and connect to Waikoloa Road close to mile marker 3, with the third option also using 2 miles of Waikoloa Road west of that mile marker. One option would have the road approximately follow the boundary between the North Kona and South Kohala districts. There’s currently three alignments in consideration. I hope the FHWA will allocate a FY2020 BUILD grant towards this important highway project.”Īccording to the draft EIS released in April 2017, the approximate 10.5-mile extension is expected to take about two years to construct once work is underway. The Saddle Road Extension project would create badly needed construction jobs that would jump start Hawaii’s economy. “Hawaii’s largely tourism based economy has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These criteria include improving the quality of life, economic competitiveness, and highway safety,” Kona resident Aaron Stene wrote in a FY2020 Build Grant support letter tendered in April. “In short, this highway will provide a much-needed economic stimulus during the construction phase, and meet all of criteria required by this grant. Once completed, and a funding source is committed, a Record of Decision will be issued, completing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and allowing the project to move forward.Ībout $85 million of the $90 million allocated would be funded via revenue bond with the remaining $5 million derived from the special fund to finish environmental work, acquire land and construct the road.Ĭurrently, the department is planning to utilize state funds only, though the project remains eligible for federal funding that would cover up to 80% of the cost. The most recent update posted on the division’s website was April 1, stating no change in status from the March update. Project Manager Mike Will with the Federal Highway Administration’s Central Federal Lands Highway Division did not respond to a request for an update on the project as of press time. Federal officials said in March they had received and were beginning to assess comments on the project’s archaeological inventory survey that was completed several years ago. The project will extend the cross-island route, known colloquially as Saddle Road, from its current terminus at Mamalahoa Highway to Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
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