Bill Text: HI HB839 | 2019 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Relating To Traffic Signals On The Pali Highway.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-03-21 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [HB839 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-HB839-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

839

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SIGNALS ON THE PALI HIGHWAY.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that pedestrian safety is a growing concern in Hawaii.  Raymond Endow was wearing a reflective vest as he crossed an unsignalized intersection at Wood street on the Pali highway when he was struck and killed.  His death was one of thirty-nine pedestrian fatalities across the State in 2018, up from just fourteen in 2017.

     The fact that Mr. Endow's accident occurred at an unsignalized crosswalk is not unusual for pedestrian fatalities.  According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute, forty per cent of all crashes involving pedestrians occur at these types of crossings.  Implementing signalized crosswalk lighting to give pedestrians exclusive access to intersections reduces pedestrian crashes at intersections by half.

     The Pali highway runs through residential areas in Nuuanu and speeding cars create hazards for pedestrians simply trying to navigate their neighborhood.  The plan, design, and construction of traffic signals at unsignalized crossings along the Pali highway will help prevent future tragedies and protect pedestrian safety.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide funding to the department of transportation to improve pedestrian safety along the Pali highway.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $5,200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2019-2020 for the purpose of designing and installing signalized crosswalks and related pedestrian improvements at the following intersections with unsignalized crosswalks:

     (1)  Ahipuu street, where it intersects with the Pali highway;

     (2)  Wood street, where it intersects with the Pali highway;

     (3)  Dowsett avenue (lower), where it intersects with the Pali highway; and

     (4)  Dowsett avenue (upper), where it intersects with the Pali highway.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2022, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Pedestrian Safety; Department of Transportation; Capital Improvement Project; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for installing signalized crosswalks and related pedestrian improvements at four specified unsignalized intersections in the Nuuanu area of the Pali Highway.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

 

 

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