Department of Transportation

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) reminds Oahu motorists that the H-1 Freeway westbound right shoulder lanes are NOT open for use during daily afternoon rush-hour traffic. The shoulder lanes were temporarily opened for emergency use during last week’s heavy traffic congestion caused by the ZipMobile breakdown, but are no longer open as travel lanes.

At that time, temporary highway signage and messageboards were placed to notify motorists that the westbound shoulder lane was open in two H-1 sections between the Radford Drive Overpass and the Kaneohe/Honolulu Off-Ramp (Exit 13B) and between the Kaonohi Street Overpass to the Waimalu/Pearl City Off-Ramp (Exit 10). These sections are no longer open as travel lanes and should be used for vehicle breakdowns and emergencies only.

HDOT is considering long-term plans to open the right shoulder lanes in these areas to alleviate afternoon rush-hour traffic and is currently collaborating with the City & County of Honolulu, the Honolulu Police and Fire Departments, Emergency Medical Services, Joint Base Hickam-Pearl Harbor and the Federal Highways Administration to address all necessary concerns. Notifications will be made to the public prior to any traffic pattern modifications.