Nix the roundabout
I would like to comment on both the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Bayfront Highway and Waianuenue Avenue (Tribune-Herald, May 24) and Mr. Bob Alder’s letter of May 28.
First, I disagree with the state Department of Transportation’s conclusion that a roundabout is needed to alleviate traffic congestion at that intersection. I travel through that intersection daily (sometimes several times a day), and I have found that the existing traffic signals regulate traffic in a perfectly acceptable manner.
There is seldom any large backup of traffic there, even when high surf closes Bayfront Highway. The only time there has been unacceptable traffic congestion is when they are working on the Wailuku River Bridge (the “Singing Bridge”). And, yes, I did download and read the numerous pages of the DOT’s draft assessment, and their own traffic studies show that 60% of the traffic through that intersection goes straight through on Bayfront, and only 30% makes the turn into town.
This means that if the roundabout is in place, the majority of drivers will be needlessly directed out of their way around the circle, making for a slower commute and higher frustration. The disruption that construction of this project will cause — for two whole years, and perhaps longer — will far outweigh any potential “improvements” to the downtown area.
I’m actually amazed that more of the downtown merchants have not publicly complained about the loss of business this will entail. Also, nowhere in the draft assessment report does it mention what will happen when they start working on the Wailuku Bridge again, currently scheduled for 2026, right in the middle of the roundabout project. Pity the poor residents of Wainaku if all traffic is forced to negotiate that narrow, winding route — half of which has no shoulders or sidewalks — which was never designed for thousands of vehicles daily.
Second, I completely agree with Mr. Alder that a crosswalk is needed at that intersection so people can more safely access the waterfront park, and I firmly believe this crosswalk could be installed within the current intersection configuration. In fact, I think one crosswalk designed into the current intersection would be far less disruptive to traffic than the four crosswalks that appear to be in the roundabout plans.
Is this roundabout proposal a done deal, or is there still time to nix it? Wouldn’t the money be much better spent on other more necessary projects — such as replacing the one-lane bridge at the end of Kilauea Avenue leading into Panaewa, or at least starting the realigned Saddle Road/Puainako Extension from Komohana to Kilauea Avenue, or repaving the many roads around Hilo that are in deplorable condition?
Helie Rock
Hilo
Thankful for
repaving
Friday’s Tribune-Herald had an interesting letter about a sloppy job on painting the traffic lines on Kaumana Drive (Your Views, June 2).
I think Mr. A. Yamamoto should be thankful that at least he, and we, have a paved road on the Kaumana Drive.
When I lived in Japan, all we had to drive on was mud roads or gravel roads.
Stanley Aoki
Hilo
