Honolulu $77M Repaving Program on Track

Honolulu has repaved 130 lane miles over the past six months putting the city and county on track to repave at least 300 lane miles of deteriorated roads by the end of this year, according to a release from Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

Oahu officials have also contracted to spend $77 million appropriated in the fiscal 2012 budget, which is about a year ahead of what had previously been standard practice, according to the release.

“Repairing our bad roads and making good roads last longer is remains one of my top priorities, and we are showing we can get the job done,” Caldwell said in a prepared statement.  The City currently has 25 roads projects totaling nearly $200 million that are either under way or about to begin, according to Caldwell’s quarterly report on repair progress. Work on six of those projects started in 2012, while the remaining 19 projects were initiated since Caldwell took office in January, according to the report.

As of June 30, the City had also contracted to spend  more than $61 million of the $100 million that was appropriated in the FY 2013 budget.

“By getting projects out in a more efficient and consistent manner, we avoid a rush at the end of the fiscal year, which can potentially lead to funds lapsing and also drive up costs,” Caldwell said. 

Caldwell’s five-year road plan aims to repair all 1,500 lane-miles of roads that are considered less than fair condition as assessed by an independent study conducted last year. In April, Caldwell for the first time released a quarterly status report of roads projects, and has committed to continue doing so every quarter to help the public and the City Council keep track of the work and understand how funds are being spent.

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