Mayor Caldwell expedites road improvements

News Release from City and County of Honolulu

Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell was joined today by Department of Transportation Services Director Mike Formby and Councilmember Joey Manahan to discuss plans to immediately enhance public safety on roadways across O‘ahu.

City crews will be installing new and additional streetlights on North King Street in Kalihi beginning this week, bringing improved visibility to a corridor of our island frequented by pedestrians, the elderly, and a high volume of vehicle traffic.

The city started a Complete Streets Initiative in 2012 and began work to join the World Health Organization/AARP’s Age-Friendly Cities network last year.  Both programs focus on making roadways safer and accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, public transportation, and people with disabilities.

A Complete Streets public meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Center, Pikake Room.  Members of the public are welcome to participate and give input on how to make our streets safer for all.

The city is preparing a request for proposal to form a public-private-partnership that will replace all 51,700 city streetlights with LEDs that use 40-60% less energy while providing brighter, more direct light. 

“Complete Streets, Age-Friendly Cities, and the LED replacement program will begin next year and make a profound impact on the way we use our roads,” said Mayor Caldwell.  “In the interim, we are looking at areas that we can improve now and that begins on North King Street in Kalihi.”

“As a resident and a Councilmember of the area I've been concerned with safety along this corridor of North King Street,” said Councilmember Joey Manahan.  “I am grateful for the administration's response to install new lights to address residents' pleas for increased lighting.  The additional lights will make the area brighter and safer for both pedestrians and motorists. For months we have been working to address pedestrian safety issues along this corridor of North King Street, and the new lights are going to make a huge difference for pedestrians and motorists traveling this route.”

UPDATE:  Existing streetlights along North King Street in Kalihi will be replaced with high pressure sodium lights and additional streetlights will be installed.  The new lights will point down, toward the road, rather than up, providing increased visibility.  The lights will be replaced with LEDs and retrofitted as part of the LED program that begins next year.

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