FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   July 5, 2007

Release No. M-71-07

CITY INTRODUCES

“DRIVE AKAMAI” TRAFFIC INFORMATION PROGRAM

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann and City officials today (Thursday, July 5) unveiled “Drive Akamai,” a web- and phone-based program developed to inform motorists—as well as government agencies, utility companies, and private contractors working on public thoroughfares—of the location of lane-blocking construction projects and streets to avoid.

            Dubbed “Drive Akamai,” the program will feature a website (www.driveakamai.org) and hotline (768-3777) to apprise the public of the status of the numerous construction projects taking place in the downtown Honolulu area, lane closures, and hours of work.  The website goes “live” at 2:00 p.m. today.

            Drive Akamai will provide reports on lane closures due to major construction projects occurring within the boundaries of Liliha Street on the Ewa side and Kapahulu Avenue on the Koko Head side, and the H-1 Freeway and south shore on the mauka and makai sides, respectively.  The information will be updated daily.

            Mayor Hannemann said, “The public is well aware of the tremendous amount of infrastructure work this administration is doing.  Repairs and maintenance of our sewers, roads, and public facilities are all at the very top of our priority list, following years of neglect.

“South Beretania Street is undergoing a major rehabilitation, and we’ll soon be doing the same to a portion of Ala Wai Boulevard and Keeaumoku Street.  We have the Beachwalk sewer bypass construction in Waikiki, water and sewer work along Kapiolani Boulevard and Atkinson Drive, and smaller projects and routine maintenance all happening in this part of town.

            “All of this work is necessary to our quality of life.  This is work that must be done.  However, there is a side-effect, and that side-effect is traffic congestion.  In anticipation, the City has spent several months planning and developing a means to minimize traffic congestion.  All City agencies with responsibilities that include roadwork or lane closures have been included in the program, as have staff agencies with related responsibilities.  We believe that through coordination, timely exchange of information, and cooperation, we can minimize the impact of this work on motorists.”

            Drive Akamai will not include reports on daily rush-hour traffic, such emergencies as traffic accidents or utility problems, and special events like parades.

            The City will roll out enhancements to the website on an ongoing basis.  These include an interactive, mouse-over map that provides lane closure and other information on any particular project; indications of day, night, or 24-hour closures; e-mailed updates; and a means for the public to report problems or offer comments.

            Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates has been retained to oversee the project, which includes recommending ways to improve traffic flow.  The firm’s contract is for $400,000.

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Contact:

Bill Brennan, 527-6928

Mel Kaku, Transportation Services Director, 768-8303