Budget committee approves $1.26 million transfer for sidewalk and central-corridor safety planning matches

The Committee on Budget on Jan. 10 recommended reporting Resolution 24-292 for adoption, authorizing a transfer not to exceed $1,260,000 from the city’s provision for grants, partnerships and security to the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) to cover local matching requirements for federal Highway Administration and related grants.

DTS Director Designate Roger Morton told the committee the transfer will support two program groups: sidewalk projects in six neighborhoods—Waianae, Wahiawa, Mo'ili'ili, Dade Street, Kalihi and Waipahu—and traffic safety planning for high-injury corridors in urban Honolulu including Beretania, Wilder and Kapiolani avenues. Morton said the funds will primarily cover planning and preliminary engineering (PE 1) work and serve as the 20% local match for federal grants in many cases.

Renee Espio, Complete Streets administrator for DTS, said the projects are in PE 1; consultants are collecting as-builts and performing site assessments. She said construction funding would be sought later and estimated construction funding requests would likely be pursued in fiscal year 2027 for projects that reach construction readiness. Espio also said the city secured a state appropriation of about $4.2 million to assist Wahiawa’s local match.

Committee members asked whether any of the transfer would be used for other narrowing projects; Morton confirmed none of the requested funds would go to the Ala Wai or Kilauea Avenue narrowing projects.

With no members registered to testify and no committee objections, Chair Del Santos Tam recommended the resolution be reported out for adoption.