Department of Transportation

HONOLULU — The state Department of Transportation advises Oahu motorists of multiple lane closures on Kamehameha Highway in both directions between the H-2 Freeway Overpass and Olive Avenue on Mondays through Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily, for lane pattern modifications.  Work will begin Monday, December 2, and is anticipated to end on Friday, December 20, barring any delays.

Crews will be modifying the lane patterns in this area to add an additional northbound lane to help alleviate afternoon rush-hour traffic congestion.  New destination and traffic signs will also be installed. 

“During afternoon rush-hour, Haleiwa-bound traffic routinely backs up to the top of the H-2 Freeway off-ramp, creating a traffic bottleneck on the Wilson Bridge entering Wahiawa,” said DOT Director Glenn Okimoto.  “The new right lane will give Wahiawa residents a more direct route to Olive Avenue, streamlining traffic heading towards Haleiwa, and help to balance traffic flow more evenly through the area.”

Lane pattern modifications will include the following changes:

• The existing single-lane northbound H-2 Freeway Wahiawa Off-Ramp (Exit 8) will be restriped at its connection to Kamehameha Highway to split into two lanes near Wilikina Drive.  This will create a third lane over the Wilson Bridge that will turn right onto Avocado Street or continue straight to Olive Avenue.

• The existing single northbound lane on Kamehameha Highway will be shifted to the left near its connection to the H-2 Off-Ramp, utilizing a portion of striped median area over the Wilson Bridge, to create space for the new third lane.

• To accommodate the new rightmost lane, six street parking stalls on Kamehameha Highway will be removed between Avocado Street and Olive Avenue.  The new right lane will then end as a right-turn only lane onto Olive Avenue.

• Street parking hours in the northbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway will be modified between Olive Avenue and California Avenue.  Parking will be prohibited from 3 to 6:30 p.m., daily, except on Sundays and holidays, to help alleviate afternoon rush-hour traffic. 

• The existing southern-most crosswalk at the Olive Avenue intersection, crossing Kamehameha Highway, will be removed.  This will help to facilitate left-turn traffic from Olive Avenue turning southbound onto Kamehameha Highway.

Alternating single or multiple lane closures will be used during the restriping work.  Motorists are advised to use alternate routes when possible and to expect delays.  Motorists are also asked to drive with caution while adjusting to the new lane patterns.