Opinion ID: 870822
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Other Relevant Post-1985 EIS Traffic Studies

Text: After 1985, Kuilima solicited two additional traffic impact analysis reportsin 1991 and 2005. [2] Because the 1985 EIS considered projected traffic impacts through the year 2000, the 2005 updated traffic impact analysis [hereinafter, the 2005 report] and three addendums thereto, prepared in 2006, are particularly relevant. The 2005 traffic report focused on local traffic impacts, that is, impacts on the roadway fronting the property, including the internal roadways of the resort itself. Generally, the 2005 traffic report indicated that, even with the construction of certain traffic improvements (many of which overlap with the yet incomplete improvements suggested by the 1985 EIS), the expansion project, when completed, would result in increased local traffic impacts. As previously stated, the 2005 report was updated three times in 2006, focusing again on only local traffic impacts. Addendum No. 1, dated February 15, 2006, evaluated the initial design of the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and the project's Alpha Road (also known as the proposed West Kuilima Drive), including turning lanes and the recommended improvements to facilitate the traffic needs of that immediate area, projected out through 2008. The addendum concluded that, [a]s Turtle Bay Resort continues to expand beyond the Year 2008, the peak hour traffic operations at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Alpha Road are expected to deteriorate below satisfactory levels of service [(LOS)]. Additional improvements at the study intersection, such as traffic signalization and lane modifications, may be required to mitigate the traffic impacts resulting from further development of the Turtle Bay Resort. (Emphasis added.) Addendum No. 2, dated February 23, 2006, evaluated the design of two-lane Alpha Road to determine when it should be widened to a four-lane roadway. It concluded that Alpha Road will be constructed as a private roadway and is expected to remain so in the foreseeable future. Traffic operations of the two-lane section of Alpha Road at peak hour volumes over 800 [vehicles per hour] would result in a [below satisfactory LOS]. In general, intersection operations are more critical than the operation of a continuous two-lane roadway. The proposed 108-foot right of way will provide adequate width as to construct turning lanes on the initial two-lane divided roadway at internal resort intersections, as needed. Widening sections of Alpha Road. . . would maintain [satisfactory] conditions or better as major [l]ots in the Turtle Bay Resort are developed. The remaining two-lane section of Alpha Road . . . is expected to operate at a satisfactory [LOS] at full build out and occupancy of the Turtle Bay Resort Master Plan. Addendum No. 3, dated August 25, 2006, analyzed the second phase of improvements on Kamehameha Highway, including traffic signalization at the Kamehameha Highway/Alpha Road intersection, improvements at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Kuilima Drive, and traffic signalization of the Kamehameha Highway/Kuilima Drive intersection, projected through 2011. The addendum concluded that [t]he Kamehameha Highway intersections at Alpha Road and Kuilima Drive are expected to require traffic signalization to accommodate the anticipated expansion of Turtle Bay Resort up to the Year 2011, when a total of 1,970 hotel rooms will be constructed. Lane modification at the study intersections, the extension of Alpha Road from Kuilima Drive to Marconi Road, and the improvement of Marconi Road and its intersection with Kamehameha Highway will be required to mitigate the traffic impacts resulting from the full-build out and occupancy of Turtle Bay Resort Master Plan[.]