HONOLULU (KHON2) — The State Department of Transportation is moving forward with multiple pedestrian bridge projects aimed at creating safer, more walkable communities. But not without challenges and community concerns.
Foundation materials at the Ala Moana Bridge abutments and reinforcement of the drainage culvert underneath it are two reasons why the opening of the pedestrian bridge has been delayed.
“There’s also a signal line that was running through that area that really didn’t show up on any maps. We wanted to make sure we didn’t damage that during construction, so we had to redesign a couple of the elements for those pieces,” explained Ed Sniffen, state DOT director.
Savings from the $20 million dollar project contract are being used to cover the cost of the unexpected changes. The DOT is confident that it will be finished in January of next year.
Meanwhile, the Wahiawa Pedestrian Bridge is currently in the pre-design phase that includes determining the conditions in the area where the bridge will be built.
The bridge would be about a mile long, 12-feet wide and would connect Whitmore Village and Wahiawa.
“The only way to get there if you’re walking of biking is to go down to Kamehameha Highway, go on Kamehameha Highway where there’s no sidewalks or pedestrian path and go back up to Wahiawa. It’s quite trek,” said Sniffen.
While this bridge has the potential to connect communities resident who live near this area are concerned about safety.
“In a way its a good idea. But we have a lot of homeless living at the banks of the river,” said Danielle Teuteu, who lives in Wahiawa.
“I see a lot of people walking in the morning, up and down, and they can use that. Then it’d be good,” said Whitmore Village resident Junior Agustin. “But are the homeless gonna take over? That’s the only thing I’m kinda worried about.”
However, the DOT said safety is one of the reasons the bridge connects to Koa Street in Wahiawa.
“There was a concern that (the bridge) will be in an area where safety would be a concern, which is why the final location of the outlet for the bridge is next to the police station and police have committed to do some patrols through the area to ensure we keep everybody safe,” said Sniffen.
The community will have an opportunity to weigh in on the bridge once the design is finalized. The DOT said as an ongoing goal to give travel options to people, it will consider other pedestrian bridges for areas where it makes sense to add walkability and safety.