02/11/15 City to restrict parking in Lanikai during Presidents Day weekend
City to restrict parking in Lanikai during Presidents Day weekend
LANIKAI - The City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services notified all Oahu motorists and residents of Lanikai that this Presidents Day weekend, no parking of motor vehicles will be permitted on the unimproved sidewalk on the right side of the road along the Lanikai loop, in order to ensure access to Lanikai for emergency vehicles, residents, and visitors.
The Lanikai loop includes Alapapa Drive and Mokulua Drive, where a bike lane runs along the right side of both streets. Parking is always prohibited in the bike lane, with a potential fine of $200. This holiday weekend, new barriers will be placed adjacent to the bike lane on the Lanikai loop notifying motorists that no parking is permitted on the right side of the street over the Presidents Day weekend. (Map attached)
“The city is taking this action because traffic congestion in Lanikai has become so severe on holidays and weekends that it is now a safety issue,” said Director of Transportation Services Mike Formby. “During severe traffic congestion caused in part by illegally parked cars and pedestrians forced into the roadway, emergency first responders have experienced difficulty getting into and out of Lanikai. This is a test over the holiday weekend that the city will consider making permanent if effective.”
Motorists who park on the right side of the Lanikai loop over the Presidents Day weekend, impede emergency response, or park on the bike path will be subject to citation and tow by the Honolulu Police Department.
With but one way in and out, traffic entering, traversing and exiting Lanikai has increasingly negatively impacted residents. According to Councilmember Ikaika Anderson, who represents the Lanikai community on the City Council, “As one of the most popular destinations on Oahu, Lanikai draws tremendous crowds on the weekends. However, we have a responsibility to ensure that residents can get in and out of the community safely and quickly. I’m pleased that Director Formby is honoring my request to try a parking prohibition for the upcoming Presidents Day weekend.”
Through a community context-sensitive process, DTS met with the Lanikai community and the Kailua Neighborhood Board and was asked by the community to restrict parking within the Lanikai loop to address growing safety concerns. The parking restriction to be implemented on the Presidents Day weekend will test a proposal to permanently remove parking on the bike lane side of the Lanikai loop where there are families with children, beachgoers, joggers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Significantly, the removal of parking on the bike lane side of the Lanikai loop will also preserve roadway width and allow improved ingress and egress for emergency responders and residents.
Motorists are cautioned that the removal of parking on the bike lane side of the Lanikai loop during the Presidents Day weekend will significantly reduce parking capacity within Lanikai by up to half. As such, motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, consider alternative means to access Lanikai beach, such as by riding The Bus, walking and/or biking, or seek alternative beaches for recreation.
No comments:
Post a Comment