September 1984 Home   Newsletters

October 1984

November 1984

Pros and Cons of the Date-Laau Initiative (Helen Griffin)
President's Message (Dorothy Lum)
Two Major Issues Facing Honolulu City Council (Welcome Fawcett)
Alternatives in a Cocked Hat? (Opal Sloane)
Voter Service Does it Again!
League Membership Update
Calendar
Vote Count Flash
Announcement - BOE Candidates' Meeting
People 'n Pix

Alternatives in a Cocked Hat?

Something happened the other day to the Transportation Alternatives Study committee en route to a decision for future transportation on Oahu. Public hearings were held, Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Transportation Services (DTS) were formulating recommendations when the gavel again came down at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals where a three-judge panel unanimously halted construction of the Federal Highway known as H-3.

For the past several years Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) has been gathering data from DTS, DOT, the public; and other State and City agencies to update long-range transportation plans for Oahu. This final study, recently released, is called HALI 2000. It encompasses an assessment of existing commuter corridors and their ability to handle peak traffic demands. The study looks at these same corridors in the year 2000--after growth and population patterns have been established by the City Development Plans (DP), and looks at various alternatives designed to meet these corridor needs by increasing capacity or lowering demand.

The Transportation Committee notes a potential problem with the alternative study. This is because the basis for assessment of all future needs is construction of the "committed system". This system includes Kalanianaole Highway - known as Kai Corridor, and H-3. (Kal. Corridor is also under litigation.)

If these projects are not constructed, the basic assumptions used to generate the alternatives to meet future demand are in error. The report will then have to be re-evaluated and models adjusted and rerun.

The report points out an interesting fact. If the "committed system" is built, almost all available federal funds will be used, and any alternatives decided upon will have to be almost completely funded by you and me i.e., excise tax, gas tax, property tax. As an example - a gallon of gas for your car can be increased by 13 cents.

At its last meeting, the Transportation Committee came up with these points for you to think about and consider:

  • The Circuit Court decision on H-3 can be appealed, but how long might this delay alternative transportation improvements?

  • If neither H-3 nor Kal Corridor is built, how will the redistribution of figures affect the relative desirability of the alternatives?

  • Windward Oahu would be greatly affected if H-3 were not built. Would a new alternative have to be looked at? Should other new suggested alternatives be studied?

  • Can the moneys allotted to H-3 and Kal Corridor (approximately $1B) be spent more effectively in another way? The federal government has already given Hawaii the "green light" on transferring funds. Is this another delay?

  • Looking at the costs of alternatives studied, the $1B would pay for the Transportation Systems Management (TSM) alternative PLUS the 29-mile light rail system at grade. The TSM is the least expensive alternative, but would the public accept its road pricing and high operating costs?

  • The $1B would pay for TheBUS alternative, and over 80% of the more expensive light rail system of 29 miles (including 5.7 of elevated guideway to cut traffic congestion).

  • Or how about , TheBUS, AND part of a Light Rail System? The possibilities are many: -

These are interesting facts to consider. Watch for updated information in future issues of the Voter, or come to our next Transportation Committee meeting. All members are invited. Check the Meeting Calendar for date, time, and place. Call me, the Coordinator, for confirmation of meeting times at 487-0666.

Join us in this exciting and fast-changing arena of future transportation on OAHU.

Opal Sloane

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