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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