Act allows for 'traffic emergency zones'

The Maui News
Sunday, June 24, 2007

By TRAVIS KAYA, Staff Writer

HONOLULU – A new law that would allow the temporary creation of "traffic emergency zones" for areas impacted by road closures was approved by Gov. Linda Lingle earlier this month.

Developed and introduced by Democratic state Rep. Angus McKelvey, who represents West Maui, Maalaea and North Kihei, Act 141 will allow temporary measures, such as the opening of cane haul roads, to relieve traffic when accident investigations or other problems close roadways.

"If we can get a declaration, these are all the safeguards that are needed to not only keep West Maui from being sent into a traffic seizure every time there is a fire or accident, but to also speed up our road projects so that we can have alternate routes in and out of the area," McKelvey said.

In the case of a road closure, the governor, Department of Transportation officials and each of the four county mayors now have the option to temporarily open up private roads to reroute traffic. The law clears owners of private roads of liability and puts the onus of implementing property safety measures on state and county officials.

"This is essential," McKelvey said. "The reason we couldn't use the cane haul roads to route people around a fire or an accident was due to the liability issues against the owners of these roads."

The new law also waives state permits and procurement codes for areas that have been designated as emergency zones. The exemptions will allow for quick road repairs in regions requiring immediate attention and help circumvent the previously lengthy permitting process.

The bill was first introduced in the state House, where it garnered the support of Transportation Chairman Joe Souki as well as state Transportation Director Barry Fukunaga. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Sens. J. Kalani English and Roz Baker.

Originally applicable only to state highways, the measure was expanded in the Senate to allow county mayors to make emergency declarations.

In addition to West Maui, McKelvey said the new law will "be invaluable to other areas like Kapaa, Kauai, and the North Shore of Oahu."

The law took effect upon Lingle's approval of it June 6.

Travis Kaya can be reached at tkaya@mauinews.com.

Copyright © 2005 The Maui News.

Original article URL: http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=31625

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