PHOTOS: Airport Access Road Now Open from Pakaula to Hāna Hwy

August 4, 2015, 1:58 PM HST
* Updated August 5, 4:40 AM

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Kahului Airport Access Road rendering. Image courtesy Hawaiʻi DOT.

By Wendy Osher

The Airport Access Road is now open to motorists beginning today from Pakaula Street to the Hāna Highway in Kahului.

Motorists are also advised that new traffic signals at the intersection of Hāna Highway and the Airport Access Road are being activated today. The signals were in flashing mode from late last week to alert motorists to the changes.

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The section of road represents Phase 1 of the Airport Access Road project.

State highway personnel officially broke ground on Phase 1 of the Kahului Airport Access Road project in November of 2013.

The project is designed as a traffic mitigation measure to meet continuing growth in use and demand at the Kahului Airport, enhance traffic circulation, and alleviate congestion.

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According to the Environmental Assessment for the project published in March 2012, Phase I of construction for the Kahului Airport Access Road, calls for a four-lane, 4,700-foot stretch of road between Puʻunēnē Avenue and the Hāna Highway.

Phase II of the project extends from the Hāna Highway to the Kahului Airport.

Prior to the official opening of the roadway, the Maui Bicycling League held a public bicycle ride along the new Airport Access Road. Organizers said they hope to highlight the importance of creating a bike path removed from the roadway and note that Department of Health Injury Statistics show that Dairy Road is the most dangerous road in Central Maui for cyclists.

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The two-mile segment also creates a link between the Mokulele Bike Path and the North Shore Greenway, linking Kīhei to Kahului and on to Pāʻia.

On another note, crews from Tom’s Backhoe & Excavation Co. began construction yesterday on A’alele Road. The company is working on a Jet-A Fuel Line project. All Motorists are advised to drive with caution when in the area and observe all signs and detours. Aʻalele is located near the airport between the Old Haleakalā Highway and Keolani Place.