State DOT outlines $4 million plan to modernize Cocoa Head Avenue off‑ramp after resident safety complaints

The state Department of Transportation told the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board it has awarded a $4,000,000 contract to Paul's Electrical Contracting to modernize traffic signals and implement lane changes at the Cocoa Head Avenue off‑ramp (Exit 26A) after resident complaints about vehicles crashing into raised medians and nearby homes.

Casey Abbe, the HDOT highways representative temporarily assigned to the board, said a 2019 HDOT staff study recommended converting a shared turn lane into an exclusive right‑turn lane and restricting a second left‑turn movement. The awarded contract’s scope includes modernizing the signal systems at the off‑ramp and at Poho Avenue and interconnecting signals from Pahoa Avenue to Harding Avenue. Current plans call for replacing two existing Type‑1 10‑foot signal standards and adding a larger Type‑2 signal standard with a 28‑foot mast arm.

While the long‑term project is pending a construction start date, DOT proposed installing portable yellow crash barrels on the raised concrete median as an interim measure to reduce the risk of vehicles breaching the median and striking the house across the ramp. Abbe said the barrels are roughly three feet wide (subject to confirmation by the traffic branch) and their number would depend on available space; he offered to work with the traffic branch and district maintenance to determine compliance with standards.

Board members and residents generally supported the interim barrels and the redesign; several raised concerns about potential backups from removing a second left‑turn lane, pedestrian push‑button synchronization, and possible parking impacts near the library. Casey Abbe clarified the current plan does not remove parking near the library and emphasized signal modernization is intended to allow coordinated timing to reduce backups.

Abbe encouraged residents to email photos or Google Maps locations of specific problem spots and said he will work with maintenance crews on the immediate barrel installation and follow up at the next neighborhood board meeting he can attend.