Groundbreaking held for Hardy Street Improvements

A groundbreaking was held yesterday to mark the start of the Hardy Street Improvements project.

The $7.89 million project will include major enhancements that span the entire roadway, approximately 0.7 miles, from Kūhiō Highway to Rice Street.

The project is a collaborative effort between the County of Kaua’i, Bow Construction Management Service, Inc., Earthworks Pacific, Inc., Hawai‘i Department of Transportation,  Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. and SSFM International Inc.

“This is our first Complete Streets project, and I’d like to thank everyone who helped to bring it to fruition,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. “Over three years ago, the County of Kaua‘i was the first in the state to pass a policy whereby Complete Streets concepts will be applied to all roadway projects. The goal is for these projects to safely accommodate bicyclists, transit riders, motorists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.”

The mayor noted that when the Hardy Street project is completed in the fall of next year, people will be able to park their cars or bicycles in one spot or ride The Kaua‘i Bus and safely walk to any of the offices in the Līhu‘e Town Core to do their business.

There will be two travel lanes with landscaped median islands, turn lanes, bike lanes, on-street parking, planter strips, and continuous sidewalks running the entire length.

The project will also include a roundabout at the intersection of Umi and Hardy streets.

In addition, the project will provide an improved and expanded bus bay, bus stop, and bus shelters for The Kaua‘i Bus on Hardy Street next to the Līhu’e Civic Center.

Supplementary improvements include drainage, utility adjustments, roadway lighting, crosswalks, and curb ramps.

Funding for the project is provided by the Federal Highway Administration and the County of Kaua‘i.

“We can also look forward to other major road improvement projects,” said the mayor. “There are several that are in the planning and design phase including Kawaihau, Po‘ipū/Kōloa, Puhi and Hanapepe roads.”

In his inaugural speech titled Holo Holo 2020, Mayor Carvalho spoke about his vision for Kaua’i in the year 2020, which includes the incorporation of Complete Streets concepts in county road projects.

The mayor’s vision calls for all organizations, businesses, residents and visitors on Kaua’i to be part of creating an island that is sustainable, values the native culture, has a thriving and healthy economy, cares for all – keiki to kupuna – and has a responsible and user-friendly local government.

To see the complete list of the Holo Holo 2020 projects, please go to the county website, www.kauai.gov.

Among those who attended the Hardy Street Improvements blessing were the following: Gerald Andrade, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc.; Michael Matsumoto, SSFM International Inc.; Alex Pascual, Bow Construction Management; Kahaa Rezantes, Federal Highway Administration; Ray McCormick, Hawai‘i Department of Transportation; Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr.; Council Chair Jay Furfaro; Council Member JoAnn Yukimura; County Engineer Larry Dill; and Bill McCune and Bryan Davidson, Earthworks Pacific, Inc.