Mamalahoa Kona Heritage Corridor has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, achieving the first in a series of steps required to be designated as a National Scenic Byway. (Photo courtesy of the state Department of Transportation)

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The state Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced the Mamalahoa Kona Heritage Corridor, Hawaii’s first state scenic byway, has received a $29,140 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, achieving the first in a series of steps required to be designated as a National Scenic Byway.

The Kona Heritage Corridor is a segment of Mamalahoa Highway (County Route 180) that runs between Honokahau and Honalo, passing through Holualoa, inland of Kailua-Kona. The corridor was designated the first state scenic byway in March 2009, paving the way for federal recognition and funding.

“This recognition is the result of private and public partnership at its best,” said Brennon Morioka, DOT director. “This grant represents years of hard work, collaboration, and the commitment to not only preserving, but enhancing, one of the many scenic corridors in the state.”

The $29,140 grant will help fund the development of a Corridor Management Plan (CMP) to recognize, preserve and enhance the unique qualities of this roadway. Through inventory, assessment and analysis of historic resources, the goal of the CMP will be to provide a meaningful experience to byway travelers, while preserving the byway’s historic qualities of indigenous Hawaiian culture and European and Asian settlement.

The CMP will also address such issues as local economic development and the level of commitment by government and the community.  This project was selected from among 320 grant applications nationally and was one of 160 projects awarded in 43 states.

Through the CMP and its associated planning processes, local businesses, residents and organization stakeholders along the byway will be better prepared to preserve and enhance the area’s historic resources and to provide travelers with accurate information.

Scenic Byways are highway corridors which are determined to have outstanding intrinsic qualities that make them distinctive and integral to their communities. These include such qualities as scenery, recreational activities, cultural sites, archaeological features, natural areas, and/or historic qualities.

The National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) is part of the U.S. DOT, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States.

Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has funded 2,832 projects for state and nationally designated byway routes in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

The U.S. Secretary of Transportation has recognized these selected roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.

Recognition as a National Scenic Byway by the U.S. DOT can have tangible benefits that support our state’s transportation, natural resources, and tourism goals.

It also provides opportunities for byway-specific federal grants for projects along these designated corridors.  A full list of U.S. Scenic Byways and more information on the program can be viewed at www.byways.org

MEDIA RELEASE
The state Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced the Mamalahoa Kona Heritage Corridor, Hawaii’s first state scenic byway, has received a $29,140 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, achieving the first in a series of steps required to be designated as a National Scenic Byway. The Kona Heritage Corridor is a segment of Mamalahoa Highway (County Route 180) that runs between Honokahau and Honalo, passing through Holualoa, inland of Kailua-Kona. The corridor was designated the first state scenic byway in March 2009, paving the way for federal recognition and funding.
“This recognition is the result of private and public partnership at its best,” said Brennon Morioka, DOT director. “This grant represents years of hard work, collaboration, and the commitment to not only preserving, but enhancing, one of the many scenic corridors in the state.”
The $29,140 grant will help fund the development of a Corridor Management Plan (CMP) to recognize, preserve and enhance the unique qualities of this roadway. Through inventory, assessment and analysis of historic resources, the goal of the CMP will be to provide a meaningful experience to byway travelers, while preserving the byway’s historic qualities of indigenous Hawaiian culture and European and Asian settlement.
The CMP will also address such issues as local economic development and the level of commitment by government and the community.  This project was selected from among 320 grant applications nationally and was one of 160 projects awarded in 43 states.
Through the CMP and its associated planning processes, local businesses, residents and organization stakeholders along the byway will be better prepared to preserve and enhance the area’s historic resources and to provide travelers with accurate information.
Scenic Byways are highway corridors which are determined to have outstanding intrinsic qualities that make them distinctive and integral to their communities. These include such qualities as scenery, recreational activities, cultural sites, archaeological features, natural areas, and/or historic qualities.
The National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) is part of the U.S. DOT, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States.
Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has funded 2,832 projects for state and nationally designated byway routes in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
The U.S. Secretary of Transportation has recognized these selected roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.Recognition as a National Scenic Byway by the U.S. DOT can have tangible benefits that support our state’s transportation, natural resources, and tourism goals.
It also provides opportunities for byway-specific federal grants for projects along these designated corridors.  A full list of U.S. Scenic Byways and more information on the program can be viewed at www.byways.org

MEDIA RELEASE

The Federal Highway Administration is conducting an ambitious new study to better understand and prevent motorcycle crashes, Administrator Victor Mendez announced.

Despite years of steadily improving highway safety and roadway fatalities at historic lows, motorcycle riders remain one of the highest-risk groups on America’s roads. 

Nearly 5,300 motorcycle riders died in roadway crashes in 2008, accounting for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, and 96,000 were injured.

“Having a better understanding of what causes these crashes will help us improve roadway safety for everyone,” Mendez said. “Keeping people safe on America’s roads is Secretary LaHood’s top priority at the Department of Transportation.”

The motorcycle crash causation study will be the federal government’s first major in-depth analysis of motorcycle safety in nearly three decades. A provision in the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” (SAFETEA-LU) requires the study, which will be conducted by the FHWA in partnership with the Oklahoma State University. 

The university’s Oklahoma Transportation Center is one of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 10 National University Transportation Centers, and it receives federal grants to conduct transportation research.

“OSU is delighted to be the lead research institution for this important study,” said Dr. Alan Tree, associate dean for research in OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. “We expect very significant, scientifically valid results to emerge from this work and look forward to a very positive final outcome.”

Researchers will evaluate data from hundreds of motorcycle crashes to help identify common factors – including road configurations, environmental conditions and rider experience. 

The study’s focus is to look at how these factors may be affected by countermeasures that, if effectively implemented, will prevent motorcycle crashes or lessen the harm when they occur.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a pilot study to develop the protocols for the full-scale causation research. NHTSA also was responsible for the earlier motorcycle causation study, which was completed in 1981.

Between 1997 and 2008, motorcycle rider fatalities increased from 2,116 to 5,290 – a 150 percent jump, according to U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System. 

In 2008 alone, deaths due to motorcycle crashes rose by an estimated 2.2 percent while all other vehicle classes saw reductions in fatalities.

MEDIA RELEASE

Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood have announced transportation projects funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) are putting people to work and building a foundation for the country’s long-term economic strength. 

Highway obligation deadline information for Hawaii; Date 50 percent met: June 19; Funds put to work: $46,222,408.61

To date, $19 billion has been obligated to fund more than 5,300 approved for highway and other transportation projects nationwide. Of those, 1,900 projects are already underway.

As part of the Administration’s effort to infuse Recovery Act funds swiftly into the economy, states are required under the Recovery Act to obligate 50 percent of their highway funds by June 29.  Working in coordination with the U.S. Department of Transportation, all 55 U.S. states and territories successfully beat this deadline at least 10 days ahead of schedule. 

“Our No. 1 priority with the Recovery Act is getting folks back to work – and there is no better way to do that in these early days than by putting shovels in the ground and jump-starting projects like these that create jobs and boost local communities,” Biden said. “By delivering on these projects ahead of schedule and under-budget, we have been able to do even more than we expected — create more job opportunities more quickly, with more dollars left over to put toward more projects that put people back on the job.”

ARRA funding for highway projects may be used for restoration, repair, construction, and other activities under the Surface Transportation Program. 

Each proposed project must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Governors must certify that proposed projects meet certain conditions and that the state will use ARRA funds in addition to, not in replacement of, state funding of transportation projects.

Priority is given to projects that are projected to be completed within three years, are located in economically distressed areas, or will maximize job creation and economic benefits.