Highways

HONOLULU – The state Department of Transportation (DOT) launched the H-1 Freeway PM Contraflow Project in a groundbreaking ceremony earlier today.  The project will create a dedicated ZipperLane in the westbound direction for weekday afternoon rush-hours to provide extra capacity on the H-1 Freeway between Pearl Harbor, near the Radford Drive Overpass, and Waikele, over a distance of approximately 7.2-miles.The dedicated lane will benefit not only motorists traveling to Waikele and points west during afternoon peak traffic, but all westbound freeway motorists, by removing contraflow vehicles from the normal traffic lanes.

“The time saved for commuters translates directly into an improved quality of life, as motorists can get home to their families faster and save money on gas,” said DOT Director Glenn Okimoto.  “Every vehicle that uses the PM Contraflow will be removed from the normal traffic lanes, reducing congestion and travel times overall.”

Phase I of the project will repair concrete sections in the innermost lanes of the Pearl City and Waimalu Viaducts over an estimated period of 16 months.
Phase II of the project will install the new barrier segments over a period of four months, concurrently with Phase I.  80-percent of the $82.1 million project cost will be federally-funded with the remaining 20-percent paid by state funds.  Project completion is anticipated in late 2013.

For more information, visit the project’s website at www.pmcontraflow.com.

State and federal officials untie a ceremonial maile lei to commence the H-1 Freeway PM Contraflow Project.  From left to right, Kahu Kordell Kekoa, Head Chaplain, Kamehameha Schools; Glenn Okimoto, Director, state Dept. of Transportation; Senator Will Espero; Abraham Wong, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration; Representative Heather Giugni; Len Dempsey, Vice-President, Heavy Division, Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co.