Media release from the State Department of Transportation

HILO – The state Department of Transportation (DOT) invites the public and all interested parties to a public informational meeting regarding the Puainako Street Widening, Komohana Street to Kilauea Avenue project, on Tuesday, October 16, at 5:30 p.m., at the Waiakea Intermediate School Cafeteria, 200 West Puainako Street, Hilo, Hawaii.

The project involves the partial realignment and widening of Puainako Street from the east side of the Kilauea Avenue intersection to Komohana Street. Improvements within the 1.5-mile corridor will include sidewalks and bicycle lanes, drainage structures, traffic signals, retaining walls, sound walls, raised and at-grade medians, and landscaping.

The purpose of this public informational meeting is to inform the community that the project is restarting and to provide an overview of progress to date. At this time, the Environmental Impact Statement is in the re-evaluation process, which includes a re-opening of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106, and Department of Transportation Act (DOTA) Section 4(f) Consultation Requirements. DOT is soliciting public input on the proposed highway design.