VIDEO: State pushes forward with Lahaina Bypass $24 million 2nd phase

State Department of Transportation (DOT) officials and Goodfellow Bros., Inc. joined the West Maui community in celebrating the groundbreaking of the second phase of the Honoapi‘ilani Highway Realignment Project, also known as the “Lahaina Bypass.” This phase, from Lahainaluna Road to Hokiokio Place, is the second of five phases that will ultimately result in a four-lane bypass highway spanning approximately nine miles from Launiupoko to Honokowai.  [flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mfUj5LfJdk /]

Lahaina Bypass Phase 2 Groundbreaking. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Pastor Laki. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The DOT broke ground on the Lahaina Bypass project in December 2008 and the first phase is scheduled to be complete in mid-2012. This second phase, which is nearly two miles long, is expected to be complete by the end of 2012.

“West Maui is one of the communities affected most by the downturn in the economy,“ said Michael Formby, Interim DOT Director. “The local unions projected a 50 to 75-percent unemployment rate for those in the construction industry and that is why we wanted to push forward with the next construction phase.”  

“The Lahaina Bypass project is on time, on budget and on schedule,” added Formby.  “The West Maui community has been waiting patiently for this bypass project for decades and now this much-needed relief route is becoming a reality.”

“I am very pleased to see the second phase of the Lahaina Bypass begin,” noted Senator J. Kalani English (D, Hana, East & Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai & Kahoolawe), Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs. “All of Maui have been waiting for this project to move ahead, and it comes at a time when our local economy really needs the infusion of capital. In addition, the infrastructure will ease traffic on the West side of the island and shorten the time it takes residents to get to and from work, and visitors to get to their destinations.”  

Some of the roadway features in the upcoming work include drainage system improvements, a two-lane bridge structure over the Kauaula Stream bed, utility accommodations, intersection street lighting, pavement markings and signs.

The Federal Highways Administration provided 80-percent matching funds on this $24 million contract.

(Information courtesy:  State of Hawaii Department of Transportation)  *** If you liked this post, you may also like our story on the appointment of Jo Anne Johnson as Transportation Director for Maui.