Department of Transportation

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises Oahu motorists that lane closure patterns on the H-1 Freeway westbound will be modified this weekend to help alleviate traffic congestion during roadwork on the Pearl City Viaduct.

Three westbound right lanes will be closed between the Kaahumanu Street Overpass and the Waipahu Off-Ramp (Exit 8B) starting at 8 p.m. on Saturday night, May 16, through 10 a.m. Sunday morning, May 17, for a concrete pour to widen the Pearl City Viaduct.  The lane closure will then be reduced to two right lanes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and reduced again to one right lane from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday night, during the concrete curing process.

Beginning Saturday night, the rightmost H-1 lane will remain open as an Exit Only lane to the Waimalu/Pearl City Off-Ramp (Exit 10), starting near the Kaahumanu Street Overpass (see map below).  The normal exit lane connecting to the off-ramp will also be available for all vehicles just prior to the exit itself.  Messageboards will be posted to notify motorists and Special Duty Police Officers will be on-site to monitor traffic.

“Previous adjustments provided some improvement to traffic flow, but we’re confident that allowing the free right lane leading to the Waimalu exit will help to reduce delays,” said Ed Sniffen, Highways Division Deputy Director.  “It will help to separate Waimalu and Pearl City-bound traffic earlier and minimize traffic.”

During the concrete curing periods, the majority of crew personnel and equipment will vacate the work site, but lanes will remain closed as the concrete hardens.  Motorists are asked to follow posted construction zone speed limits and drive slowly through the area to minimize negative vibration effects on the concrete as it hardens.

Westbound motorists are advised to plan ahead, adjust their travel times and to expect delays.  Motorists can use the GoAkamai website and mobile apps to see current traffic conditions and access images from over 200 traffic cameras on Oahu.

For more information, call the project hotline at 945-1144.  Follow HDOT on social media, and visit the Pearl City Viaduct Deck Widening and Repair project website for traffic and roadwork updates.

The rightmost H-1 lane will remain open as an Exit Only lane to the Waimalu/Pearl City Off-Ramp (Exit 10).  Motorists will also still be able to access the off-ramp just prior to the exit.

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