Hawaii Moves Forward With $1.5 Billion In Capital Improvement Projects

Governor Linda Lingle today announced that the State has advanced nearly $1.5 billion in capital improvement projects (CIP) statewide since her Administration launched a plan last December to accelerate public infrastructure construction as part of a comprehensive effort to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

Over the past year, the State has successfully opened bids for, awarded contracts for or started construction on 681 capital improvement projects, totaling $1,489,597,629.

In addition, the State hopes to put out to bid, an additional 1,021 projects totaling $314,125,881 by end of the year.  The State is counting on the Department of Education for the majority of these projects (997 projects totaling $209,226,281).

The original 18-month plan launched one year ago included approximately 1,500 capital improvement projects totaling $1.8 billion which were previously budgeted and approved by the Legislature. While the State has focused on these 1,500 projects, work is also moving forward on another 800 capital improvement projects.  In all, the State’s expanded plans now include 2,308 construction projects, totaling $4,501,794,013.

“While the State is taking steps to address the immediate need to revitalize our economy and address the budget shortfall, it is critical that we continue to focus on the repair and maintenance of our public buildings and facilities as well as invest in modernization of our public infrastructure,” said Governor Lingle.

“This focused capital improvement project plan, which is a collaborative partnership between the State, the construction industry, trade unions and counties, is helping to stimulate our local economy and create jobs for our residents while positioning Hawai‘i for the future,” the Governor added.

Projects Advancing by Department: # of Projects, Cost
Department of Accounting and General Services: 109, $188,848,081
Department of Agriculture: 6, $14,108,465
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism: 4, $7,347,733
Department of Defense: 7, $4,486,800
Department of Education: 322, $245,482,444
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands: 26, $195,474,059
Department of Human Services: 18, $21,093,621
Department of Land and Natural Resources: 42, $58,055,991
Department of Transportation: 69, $581,681,175
University of Hawai‘i: 78, $173,019,260
Total: 681, $1,489,597,629

Projects Advancing by Island: # of Projects, Cost
O‘ahu: 402, $813,408,198
Hawai‘i: 126, $365,801,799
Maui: 77, $179,435,830
Kaua‘i: 44, $86,756,498
Moloka‘i: 20, $18,791,677
Lāna‘i: 7, $7,598,213
Statewide projects: 5, $17,805,414
Total: 681, $1,489,597,629

The State estimates the $1.5 billion in capital improvement projects has generated approximately 19,216 direct and indirect jobs statewide in the construction industry and other related sectors.  This is based on a Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism formula which estimates that for every million dollars invested, 12.9 direct and indirect jobs are created.

The number of direct construction jobs created by the capital improvement projects is approximately 4,469.  This is based on a formula used by the construction industry which estimates that for every million dollars, three direct construction jobs are created.

“The State will continue its focus on starting approved CIP projects as quickly as possible in order to create more jobs for members of our construction industry and related sectors,” said Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) director and strike force chair, Russ Saito.

“The slowdown in the economy has produced an extremely competitive bidding climate, resulting in bids that are lower than originally estimated,” said Saito.  “If the projects that have been advanced had come in at the prices originally estimated, the 681 projects would have involved $1.613 billion in construction.”

Investing in capital improvement projects and the modernization of Hawai‘i’s infrastructure is a major part of the Governor’s five-point action plan to stimulate the economy. Other components of the five-point plan include increasing tourism marketing and outreach; lowering business fees and providing tax relief; attracting private investment, especially in renewable energy technology; and maximizing federal dollars and partnerships.

Progress of all the capital improvement projects can be tracked on the Governor’s website at www.hawaii.gov/cip.

Topics: Aerican Reinvestment and Recovery Act, ARRA, budget, capital improvemnet projects, CIP, construction, construction industry, counties, economic development, economic growth, economic recovery, Economy, employment, Governance, Governor’s five-point action plan, Hawaii, improvements, infrastructure, investment, jobs, legislature, local economy, lower business fees, marketing, private investment, public buildings, recovery act, renewable energy technology, tax relief, technology, tourism, U.S., unions, United States

 Print This Article in Plain Text

Latest Headlines

• CRA Weekly Tips And Advise For Tradesperson Filing 2009 Taxes
• FDA Issues Final Rule On Marketing Cigarettes To Youth
• DOE Releases Report On Recovery Act Benefits for Small Business
• United States Signs Anti Crime Agreement With Finland
• Worldwide Travel Notice For Avian Influenza H5N1 Bird Flu
• North Carolina Ensures More Children Have Health Insurance Coverage
• Legal High “Meow Meow” May Have Caused Two Teenage Deaths In The UK
• Georgia Celebrates Seventh Annual National Agriculture Awareness Week
• NHS Links Erectile Dysfunction To Heart Health Problems
• Texas Deploys Military Helicopters Along U.S. Mexico Border
• New York Invests $2 Million To Revitalize Upstate Communities
• Governor Christie Vetoes New Jersey Turnpike Authority Minutes
• President Obama Signs Hire Act Jobs Bill
• Congress To Vote On Final Health Insurance Reform Legislation
• President Obama Hosts Taoiseach Of Ireland Brian Cowen

In The News

Edinburgh Council Steps Up To Communal Stair Security

A new drive to improve stair

White House Highlights U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Fights Financial Reform

This week, Senator Chris Dodd introduced

Cancer Patients In Edinburgh To Receive Benefits And Grants To Cope With Financial Burden

A new service offering Edinburgh cancer

White House: Without Health Care Reform Expect Premiums To Skyrocket

As our year long debate on

Edinburgh To Begin Search To Replace 3 Top Council Members Who Are Retiring

Three members of the senior management