HONOLULU (KHON2) — State and county officials blessed a dedicated bike pathway in leeward Oahu, which will help connect cyclists from Ewa to Aiea.
The bikeway stands within the former Oahu Railway and Land Company right-of-way between Philippine Sea Road in Ewa and Waipahu Depot Street and helps connect the West Loch Bike Path and Pearl Harbor Historic Trail.
The pathway is something the biking community said they have been asking for years.
“It’s been decades. We’ve been advocating for this path and it’s great to see it come to fruition. We’re excited to see future expansion of this and improvements to other areas,” said Travis Counsell, Hawaii Bicycling League Executive Director.
According to HDOT Director Ed Sniffen, the bikeway will help “complete the statewide pedestrian, bicycle and transit network included in the Navahine settlement agreement.”
Work on the pathway began during the pandemic and cost nearly $16 million to complete.
Crews installed 723 linear feet of retaining wall and worked on utility relocation, demolition and construction of new bridge structures, installed concrete posts and paved the nine-to-ten-foot path with asphalt concrete.
The state is proud to support projects like the Leeward Bikeway, which have potential to improve the health of our communities. The opening of the path also expands access for community members to the scenic, natural and historic resources of the Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge.
Governor Josh Green, M.D.
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Additionally, the new pathway is Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. Officials said it will improve safety between bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers.