VIDEO: Honoapiilani Widening Project Breaks Ground

A ground breaking ceremony was held today for Maui’s Honoapiilani Highway widening project.  The one mile stretch between Lahainaluna Road and Aholo Road will be widened from two to four lanes, with landscaped medians, pedestrian and bike lanes and intersection upgrades.

State and County officials joined in a ground breaking and blessing ceremony marking the start of the long awaited Honoapiilani Highway widening project. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Cultural Practitioner Clifford Naeole presided over the blessing ceremony, marking the start of construction on the Honoapiilani Highway widening project that stretches one mile from Lahianaluna to Aholo Road. Photo by Wendy Osher.

State Transportation officials say the Highway carries nearly 26,000 vehicles daily, and is the only access route available to parts of the island north of Lahaina.  Construction began on October 26, 2009 and the project is anticipated to be complete at the end of 2010.

“The Lahaina community has been waiting patiently for this widening project and we are pleased we can finally break ground,” said Jiro Sumada, deputy director of the DOT Highways Division.  “The highway widening will not only improve access for all users of the roadway, but we believe it will ultimately improve quality of life for West Maui residents,” he added.

“We are committed to seeing this project through,” said Lt. Governor James “Duke” Aiona.  “Coupled with the Lahaina Bypass, the Honoapiilani Highway Widening project will help our West Maui residents spend less time on the road and more time in their homes with their families. The Lingle-Aiona Administration is moving forward to improve safety on our highways and ease traffic congestion, which saves our motorists time and money.”

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When the project is completed, there will be a new side walk on the makai side of the highway and an improved Shaw Street signalized intersection.  Paved shoulders on both sides of the highway are also designed to improve access for bicyclists.

To reduce excessive traffic noise along school and residential properties, a noise wall barrier is also being constructed on both sides of the highway.  The noise wall barrier will have a natural rock pattern on both sides of the wall, to maintain the neighborhood’s sense of place.

The Federal Highways Administration provided 80 percent matching funds on this $18.5 million contract.  Goodfellow Brothers Construction Company, Inc was selected for this phase of the project.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Photos and Video by Wendy Osher; Supporting information courtesy Hawaii State Department of Transportation.)

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