"We just want to do our part to make sure that the traffic runs as smoothly as possible during this event,” said DOT spokesman Dan Meisenzahl.
However the temporary suspension of DOT projects may not do much to ease congestion. During APEC week various parking restrictions and road closures will be in place.
One area that will be heavily impacted by international summit is Ala Moana Beach Park. Up to 75 percent of all parking at Ala Moana will be used by the Honolulu Police Department from November 7 — 13. Then on Monday, November 14, the park will be completely off-limits to vehicle traffic so HPD can safely remove its equipment.
Freelance photographer Dean Lau uses Ala Moana Beach Park four to five times a week to shoot newly weds visiting from Japan. He said the parking restrictions won’t have much of an impact since visitors are finding it difficult to book hotel rooms during APEC.
“Usually if there was no special event going on it would be an inconvenience because our customers wouldn’t be able to come (to the park),” said Lau. “However right now during that particular week of APEC, we actually don’t have that many weddings scheduled.”
Other regular park users were informed about APEC restrictions well in advance of the conference. Dean Spencer uses the beach park every Monday to host school children taking part in the Waikiki Aquarium’s Water Program, an educational initiative based on ocean sciences.
"They allowed us to get permitted all the way throughout from September to May, but said that November they won’t be giving anyone any permits because of the APEC.”
Parking restrictions will also be in place at Kapiolani Park, Ala Wai Community Park and Kamokila Community Park on Oahu’s Leeward Coast.
Ahead of the APEC Leaders’ Meeting on November 12 and 13, traffic in and out of Waikiki will be modified to accommodate the event. The security zone will be in effect from 10 p.m. Friday, November 11 until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, November 12. Crews may begin putting up concrete jersey barriers by noon on Friday that will separate sections of Ala Moana Boulevard and Kalakaua Avenue into two distinct sections — one side for normal traffic and the other for APEC related traffic.
Meanwhile, most APEC construction projects should wrap up by the end of the week. Meisenzahl said the planting of 76 coconut trees, 89 Fiji palms and two acres of St. Augustine grass along the Nimitz Highway median should be finished by Thursday or Friday.
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See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
