Highways Modernization Plan

The Highways Modernization Plan focuses on 183 projects, including 161 projects in the four counties:  76 projects on O‘ahu ($1,905,033,000), 36 projects for Maui County ($578,940,000), 27 projects on the Big Island ($524,712,000) and 22 projects on Kaua‘i ($263,410,000).  In addition, there are 22 statewide projects ($968,119,000).

Click here for a list of projects by island: 
Oahu | Kauai | Maui | Hawaii | Statewide

Click here for a complete project list:
Highways Modernization Plan Projects List (PDF)

“These projects show how the Administration and the Legislature can work together to serve the critical needs of Hawai‘i residents and move important projects ahead,” said Senator Kalani English, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.  “These improvements represent a chance to improve the quality of life for thousands in our community, and they deserve our unqualified support.  Projects like this show that we are not going to accept the status quo, that we will take extraordinary action in the face of pressing needs. Although the time schedule on these particular projects will take us a few years into the future, our state always benefits from capital improvement projects that both keep our workers on the job and improve the quality of life for our residents,” Senator English added.

“I’ve always believed in the importance of investing in infrastructure and how doing so can positively impact our everyday lives,” said Rep. Joe Souki, chair, House Transportation Committee.  “This plan demonstrates a true commitment to infrastructure by providing the necessary resources to address critical transportation needs of our state.”

Funding for the Highways Modernization Plan would be generated by conditional future increases in the fuel tax, state vehicle registration fee, vehicle weight tax, and rental car surcharges, projected to begin mid-2011.  These new revenue streams would generate $2 billion over six years that, when added to the current $1.5 billion highway budget and $500 million in the proposed Federal Economic Stimulus Bill, would provide $4 billion for needed highway improvements.

Due to the recent global economic downturn, the proposed increases would only take effect upon the condition that Hawai‘i experience a 1 percent job growth over two consecutive quarters, as determined by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

“While it is important to be sensitive to the current financial situation of our families and businesses, we also need to plan for the future when the economy rebounds, and not just sit and wait for it to happen.  This idea of an economic trigger tied to future growth in the economy means that we can do both,” the Governor explained.  

Under the proposed legislation, the state fuel tax which is currently $0.17 per gallon would be raised to $0.27 per gallon, generating an estimated increase in annual revenues of $51 million.  Vehicle weight taxes, currently set at 3/4 of a cent per pound for vehicles up to 4,000 pounds, would be raised to 2 and 3/4 of a cent per pound, generating an additional $68 million in annual revenues.  Motor vehicle registration fees would also be increased from $25 per year to $45 per year, adding an additional $23.3 million in annual revenues.  

The final funding proposal would increase the rental vehicle surcharge tax from $3 per day or portion of day to $5 per day or portion of day, creating an additional $32 million annually.  Financial impacts to the average taxpayer would be a total of $170 per year.

"This initial investment will bring taxpayers long-term savings," said Morioka.  “Under current conditions, every ten minutes of traffic delays on our highways costs each driver roughly $600 per year, and for commercial vehicles, these costs are magnified to $3,300 per year.  Modernizing our highway system will minimize environmental impacts. It will also reduce stress created by sitting in traffic.  This plan is meant to improve safety on our highways as well as enhance the overall quality of life by easing traffic congestion which will save motorists time and money.”

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Questions? Comments? Send an e-mail to: dotpao@hawaii.gov