CITY UNVEILS NEW TRAFFIC CAMERAS

TO MONITOR TRAFFIC IN WINDWARD OAHU

Mayor Mufi Hannemann today unveiled 18 new traffic cameras at the City and County of Honolulu's Traffic Management Center that will monitor a significant stretch of highways in Windward Oahu.

The newest traffic cameras cover seven miles of road in the Kaneohe area along Kamehameha Highway (between the H-3 Freeway Interchange and Halaulani Street near King Intermediate School) and Kahekili Highway (between Likelike Highway and Haiku Road). The new cameras bring a total of 172 traffic cameras being operated and monitored at the city Traffic Management Center in Honolulu.

“Over the years, we've received many requests from Windward residents for traffic cameras on their side of the island,” Hannemann said. “Not only will the cameras provide up-to-date traffic information for drivers, but while monitoring major accidents or delays, our city staff can adjust the traffic lights to help traffic flow more smoothly.”

The new cameras will help radio and TV traffic reporters monitor certain traffic “hotspots,” including major intersections such as Likelike and Kahekili highways, and Likelike and Kamehameha highways. The cameras can also be utilized to monitor other busy traffic areas fronting Windward Mall and King Intermediate School in Heeia.

Hannemann noted that the traffic cameras can assist the city in spotting roadway accidents or incidents more quickly that may require the assistance of emergency responders.

The City Department of Transportation Services purchased and installed the cameras at a cost of $1.75 million. Federal funding covered all of the project’s costs. Contractor for the project was Paul's Electrical Service.

In order to provide camera coverage on the Windward side, the city partnered with the state Department of Transportation, who offered use of their fiber optic cables along the H-3 Freeway from Halawa to Kaneohe. Hannemann thanked the state for their assistance.

“Regardless of whether the driver is using a city road or state road does not matter since they are all connected,” Hannemann said. “The cameras will help us provide timely information to our drivers to ensure them a safe and quick commute.”

Traffic camera images from the Windward side will eventually be posted on the city's traffic website and aired on the Olelo public access channel during morning and afternoon rush hour.

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Contact: Bill Brennan – 768-6928