HONOLULU (KHON2) — A small but important road in Ewa will remain open, thanks to a last-minute agreement with the landowner and the city on Aug. 14.
Many are applauding the move, calling it a win-win for everyone.
Signs for the closure of Philippine Sea Road in Ewa are coming down. It’ll remain open for the public to use for the time being, thanks to an agreement in principle between the city and the road’s landowner, Hawaiian Railway Society.
“The cooperation was absolutely fantastic,” said Jeff Livingston, Hawaiian Railway Society board member.
The society planned to close the gate Aug. 15 because of liability issues and rising cost of insurance. But city officials reached out to find a way to keep traffic moving.
“I prefer to have it open,” said Rabian Farias, Ewa resident. “Like you said, the commute is a lot different. You go that way in the evening, traffic is big time. You come this way, it’s not that bad.”
While the city would not usually get involved in cases like this, Honolulu Department of Transportation Services Director Roger Morton says this road was just too critical.
“We are, you know, going to be deviating from our normal policy on privately operated roadways because the roadway is so strategically important to our overall road system,” Morton said.
The road provides a shortcut between Ewa Villages and Kapolei, which everyone including city buses and emergency vehicles use.
As part of the agreement, the city says it will eventually install speed bumps, lighting and signage, and will also be in charge of maintaining the road. The city will also assume liability from the Hawaiian Railway Society.
However, the Hawaiian Railway Society prefers to prohibit large commercial trucks from coming through because it says the roads can’t handle them.
“It will wind up with everybody benefitting,” Livingston said. “The commuters that use this as kind of a short cut, the community which will increase safety, and [Hawaiian Railway Society] which is no longer potentially liable for repairs to a street.”
The society says lawyers are reviewing the details. But the group expects to sign the agreement within the next few days.
Down the road, the city may look into buying the road outright. But for now, it’s reminding drivers to obey all traffic laws.
“To opt to drive safely and with aloha on all roads, but particularly this one,” Morton said.
“The railroad is part of the area, the area is part of the railroad,” Livingston said. “And we’re very happy that we can keep this open.”