STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1317

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 309

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 309, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to extend the zipper lane on the H-1 Freeway to Kapolei in the vicinity of the Kualakai Parkway on and off ramps.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Honolulu County Republican Party, and three individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that traffic congestion in the State continues to be a growing concern for residents.  Residents in the State are spending more time in their vehicles commuting than ever before, with the average driver spending about thirty-seven hours a year sitting in traffic.  One area that experiences high traffic congestion is the H-1 freeway, in the eastbound direction for drivers traveling from the Kapolei region on Oahu.  The State introduced the zipper lane in an attempt to alleviate traffic congestion on the West side of Oahu, however your Committee finds that the zipper lane needs to be extended to be effective in addressing the significant increase in traffic from the West side, specifically traffic coming from Kapolei.

 

     Your Committee notes that the Department of Transportation requested an appropriation of $65,000,000 for the design and construction of a zipper lane extension.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 309, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

 

 

 

________________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair