Alii Drive shoulder striping widened

In an effort to increase the visibility of pedestrians and bicyclists on Alii Drive, the Hawaii County Department of Public Works is widening shoulder markings on both sides of the road.

The white striping will increase in width from 4 inches to 8 inches between Keauhou and the Kailua Village area, said Ron Thiel, head of the department’s Traffic Division.

Work started at the entrance to Keauhou Shopping Center on Thursday morning with crews headed northbound on the mauka side of Alii Drive to just south of Kahaluu Beach Park, said Peter Noyes, sign and markings supervisor for the department. Once the mauka side of the road is complete, Noyes said, crews would switch to the makai side of the road and head southbound.

Noyes said the work will be completed in four- to five-block sections to reduce the project’s impact on users. The work will continue through March 28.

Lane closures will likely not be required and police are helping to direct traffic around the work. Motorists are advised to drive with caution.

Thiel said the increase in width of the shoulder markings will render the approximately 6-mile stretch of roadway a “safety zone.” Safety zones, which are areas or spaces officially set apart within a roadway for the use of pedestrians, are included in the Hawaii County Code.

The county has already implemented safety zones in other areas with the widened striping, Thiel said, noting areas in Waimea and along Kawaihae Road. The state Department of Transportation also has wider striping at approaches to bridges, he added.

“It’s really amazing how much of a difference it makes,” he said. He also said the department had received complaints regarding pedestrian and bicyclist visibility on Alii Drive before the project commenced.

Crews will work from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Though expected to be complete next week, the work may extend beyond March 28.