Highways

Study recommends closure will improve freeway travel times with minimal impacts to side streets

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has completed and reviewed its study on the Piikoi Street onramp to the eastbound H-1 Freeway and is announcing the ramp will be closed on weekdays during the afternoon peak hours from 3:00 – 6:30 p.m. The study found that closing the onramp during the peak afternoon commute will help the flow of traffic, increase capacity and reduce travel times on the H-1 Freeway, while having a minimal impact on side street operations.

“This trial period is part of my administration’s continuing effort to seek new and innovative ways to relieve traffic congestion on our freeway. A previous study indicates the peak hour closures will reduce travel time for our families. This is an example of my administration is thinking outside the box, while working within our existing highways infrastructure,” said Gov. David Y. Ige.

The afternoon onramp closure is scheduled to begin Monday, July 30, 2018 and continue for a six-month trial. Upon the conclusion of the six-month trial HDOT will determine if the program will continue or be modified. Signs will be added throughout the area to notify motorists of the scheduled changes.

From April 17 – 28, 2017, HDOT temporarily closed the Piikoi Street eastbound onramp 24 hours a day to study traffic impacts of the ramp closure. It has been believed that much of the congestion and queuing experienced by motorists on the H-1 Freeway eastbound is a result of the heavy on and offramp volumes, frequent lane merges and weaving between the South Vineyard Boulevard, Ward Avenue and Piikoi Street onramps and the Punahou Street offramp. The data showed the travel time reduction during the peak afternoon hour saved drivers six minutes when traveling through the area between the Fort Shafter overpass and the Punahou Street offramp. During the morning peak hour of traffic one minute was saved.

“In researching the data closing the onramp will save people valuable time during the afternoon commute, however not enough time would be saved to justify the closure during the morning hours at this time,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay. “We will continue to monitor the traffic conditions and adjust as needed if it will help overall efficiency for commuters.”

To view the full 682-page study please click here.

Motorists are urged to use GoAkamai.org, the GoAkamai app, or any of the many other free apps and resources available that provide up to the minute live traffic conditions, before starting their drive.

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