I've followed the Saddle Road project ever since construction started on the improvements in 2004, so I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify, or update, some of the questions raised on this thread.
- The new east side segment opened up on October 11, 2017 between m.m 11.71 and m.m 5.67 on Puainako Street Extension. This entailed demolishing roughly about 1200 feet of Puainako Street Extension, and constructing two new tie-ins; one for the new Saddle Road, and the other to connect to old Saddle Road/Kaumana Drive/Puainako Street Extension.
- The realignment/reconstruction of the segment of Puainako Street between Komohana and HWY11 is on hold, along with most new capacity (highway) projects statewide. HDOT has decided to focus on system preservation versus constructing new highways.
- The exception is the Saddle Road Extension project, which the legislature provided matching state funds for the 80/20 Federal Highway Administration funding. This project is still going through the DEIS stage; FHWA/HDOT are trying to determine the best alignment on the makai side.
- The speed limit on Saddle Road was raised to 60MPH -except by m.m 18, Mauna Kea State Park, Pohakuloa Training Area main entrance, and by m.m 39 in January 2017. The legislature passed a resolution urging the HDOT to increase the speed limit from 55MPH to 60MPH. This action was taken after public outcry about the police doing excessive speed checks. The final east side segment between m.m 6 and 11 was excluded in this legislation. HDOT was given the option to increase the speed limit, which they won't do.
- The improvements done to Saddle Road were well worth the time and effort. It used to take between 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours to drive to Hilo over Saddle Road. The amount of time it takes to reach Hilo after the improvements was cut to 1 hour and 20 minutes now. This has resulted in more traffic using this highway now from 300 AADT to 4,600 AADT. There has been a 80% reduction in traffic accidents also.