Kekaha 'Akialoa Vision Design Meeting 02_07_2023Kekaha Road and
ʻAkialoa Road
(Route 551)
Improvements
County of Kauaʻi
Department of Public Works
February 7, 2023
Identifying Values
West Kauaʻi Community Plan Recap
Kekaha Road and ʻAkialoa Road Improvements Project
Roadway Design Basics and Toolkit
Hand-on Design Workshop
Tonight’s Agenda
What do you value about Kekaha?
Write down one-word values on the sticky notes provided
One value per note
Source: Google Maps
West Kauaʻi Community Plan
Approved May 26, 2020
Source: Google Maps
Revitalize Kekaha Sugar Mill site to provide economic activity
Create a “main street” environment on Kekaha Road
Protect community access to and from Kekaha
Reduce flooding; maintain and improve existing drainage systems
Improve and expand recreational facilities
Support agriculture in Kekaha
Strengthen Kekaha Town as a center for neighborhood businesses
West Kauaʻi Community Plan (WKCP ) Community Vision Recap
West Kauaʻi Community Plan
Kekaha Circulation Map
Source: West Kauaʻi Community Plan (Adopted December 2020)
WKCP –Future Vision at Kekaha Sugar Mill
Source: West Kauaʻi Community Plan (Adopted December 2020)
Kekaha Road and ‘Akialoa
Road Improvements Project
Source: Google Maps
Project Location Map
BEGIN PROJECT
Kaumuali‘i Highway + ‘Akialoa Road
END PROJECT
Kaumuali‘i Highway + Kekaha Road
Primary Project Purposes
Repair and rehabilitate the pavement surface
Enhance safety for all users
Reduce high-speed traffic on Kekaha Road by implementing traffic
calming measures
Encourage pedestrian & bicycle activity
Create a solution that supports transformative change consistent with
the West Kauaʻi Community Plan (WKCP)
Provide bicycle and pedestrian connectivity to Waimea Town
(combined with Waimea to Kekaha Shared Use Path)
Secondary Project Purposes
Highlight Kekaha Town and the Gateway to Waimea Canyon
Incorporate ancillary improvements
Drainage improvements
Roadway lighting, where appropriate
Cox Drainage Canal parapet safety rail transitions
Incorporate green stormwater infrastructure where feasible
Add elements of landscaping, shade trees, vegetated swales, etc.
Current Pavement Conditions
Distressed Pavement
Transverse and Block Cracking
Shoulder
Drop-Offs
Poor
Roadside
Conditions
Current Drainage Conditions
Drain Inlets not
functioning as
intended
Ponding along Shoulder
Current Roadway Section
Roadside Drainage
(Ponding) Issues
Lack of Pedestrian
Facilities
Bicyclists
Share the
Road with
Vehicles
No Shoulders; Drop offs
at Edge of Pavement
February 6, 2023 Walk Audit –Key Takeaways
Traffic congestion during Drop off/Pickup for schools
Lack of sidewalks / pedestrian facilities, especially routes to local schools
Traffic speed on Kekaha Road
Roadway drainage & elevation compared to existing sidewalks and side
streets
Challenging intersection @ Kōke‘e Rd & ‘Alae Rd
Stop sign position/site lines (e.g. ‘Alae Road)
Vehicles that shortcut corners via shoulders (e.g. Kala Road)
Roadway Design Basics and Toolkit
Source: Google Maps
Roadway Design Basics and Toolkit
Cross Section Elements
Lane Widths
Shoulders
Bike Lanes
Sidewalks
Drainage
•Curb and gutter
•Grass swale
Traffic Calming
Intersection Improvements
Other Design Constraints
County of Kaua‘i Street Design Manual
Provides typical roadway sections for new streets
Project roads have limited right-of-way; compromises will be
necessary
Appropriate Street Types for Kekaha Road and ‘Akialoa Road:
Main Street
Neighborhood Connector:
Minor Connector
Source: County of Kauaʻi Street Design Manual (2018)
Main Street
Definition/Function:
•Typically found in
town cores and
village centers
•Serve through and
local vehicle traffic
•Higher pedestrian
volume
Source: County of Kauaʻi Street Design Manual (2018)
Neighborhood Connector
Definition/Function:
•Serves mixed use
destinations
(residential and/or
commercial)
•Typically near or
connecting to main
streets
•Serves mostly local
traffic
•Sidewalks and street
parking are desirable
With Bike Lanes
Without Bike Lanes
Source: County of Kauaʻi Street Design Manual (2018)
Minor Connector
Definition/Function:
•Connects
neighborhoods,
commercial districts,
and highways
•Serves mostly local
traffic
•More access points
(driveways)
With Curbs
(urban layout)
Without Curbs (rural layout) With
Sidewalk
Without
Sidewalk
Sidewalk
Po‘ipū Road, Kōloa
Paved Shoulders
Kōloa Road, Lāwa‘i
Paved Shoulders
Po‘ipū Road, Po‘ipū
Bike Lanes
Olohena Road, Kapaʻa
Bike Lane, Curb, Sidewalk
Rice Street, Līhu‘e
Bike Lane, Curb, Planter Strip, Sidewalk
Rice Street, Līhu‘e
Swale/Parking Swale/Parking, Sidewalk
Laulea Street, ‘Ele‘ele
On-Street Parking, Curb, Sidewalk
Rice Street, Līhu‘e
On-Street Parking, Curb, Planter Strip, Sidewalk
Rice Street, Līhu‘e
Bike Lane, On-Street Parking, Curb, Sidewalk
Rice Street, Līhu‘e
Crosswalk with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
Po‘ipū Road, Po‘ipū
Crosswalk with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
Po‘ipū Road, PoipuRice Street, Līhu‘e
Traffic Calming –Speed Tables
Vidinha Stadium, Līhu‘e
Traffic Calming –Speed Cushions
Vidinha Stadium, Līhu‘e
Traffic Calming –Mini Circles
•Curbs at intersections
•Landscape maintenance???Mahea Road, ‘Ele‘ele
Traffic Calming –Mini Circles at T-Intersection
Roundabouts
Hardy Street, Līhu‘e
Potential Intersection
Improvements
Kekaha Road / ‘Alae Road / Kōke‘e Road
-Raised Sidewalks
-Additional Crosswalks
-Roundabout
-Intersection Realignment
Cox Drainage Canal
Constraint –Cox Drainage Canal Crossing
Barrier height does not meet current safety
standards for bicyclists and pedestrians
Unshielded blunt
ends of barrier
Insufficient roadway width to accommodate
pedestrian and/or bicycle facilities
County of Kauaʻi
Department of Public Works
Charlene Johnston, Civil Engineer
cjohnston@kauai.gov
808.241.4885