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Kapolei Interchange Breaks Ground 
Aug 3, 2009

KAPOLEI FYI

July 2009

Kapolei Interchange Breaks Ground
Project is a public-private partnership

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On july 2, U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, Governor Linda Lingle, offices from the state Department of Transporation (DOT), and representatives from Kapolei Property Development and Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc. celebrated the groundbreaking of the first phase of the H-1 Freeway Kapolei Interchange Complex, with conecting ramps to the Makakilo and Palailai Interchanges.

Senator Inouye played a key role in securing $40.8 million in federal funding for the interchange and the North-South Road, now nearing phase 1 completion. It was part of a $158.4 million appropriation earmarked for 18 state transporation-related improvement projects.

"The Kapolei Interchange Complex is a public-private partnership that will play an important role in improving access and the smooth flow of traffic in and about the City of Kapolei, the fastest growing urban area in the State," said Senator Inouye. "I am please to be able to play a small part in the realization of this important project."

Construction of the Kapolei Interchange Complex is a multi-phase project aimed at easing the flow of traffic in and out of the Kapolei area.

Phase I consists of new eastbound H-1 Freeway on-and-off-ramp for the new Kapolei Interchange at Kamokila Boulevard and Wakea Street, as well as a new westbound freeway off-ramp near the Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii water park. The new westbound on-ramp at the Makakilo Interchange will also provide motorists with access to the H-1 Freeway from Makikilo Drive.

"This new interchange will provide more choices for motorists in the Kapolei area," said state DOT director, Brennon Morioka. "it is one of several new projects planned for this area that will benefit both businesses and residents as the area continues to develop."

"The Kapolei Interchange is a significant project that will help infrastructure to keep pace with the extraordinary growth of Kapolei," said Dave Rae, Kapolei Property Development's senior vice president for Development. "We are pleased to be a part of this important public-private partnership." Kapolei Property Development contributed $6 million in land, design and construction funds toward Phase I of the interchange.

Phase II of the project will provide additions to the new Kapolei Interchange, including concrete H-1 Freeway overpass, westbound off-ramp from H-1 Freeway to Wakea Street, and new westbound on-ramp onto Farrington Highway. Subsequent phases will include new on-and-off-ramps for the Palailai and Makakilo interchanges.

Phase I is anticipated to be complete at the end of 2010. Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company was contracted for this project.