Highways

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises Oahu motorists that the H-1 Freeway ZipperLane will remain open for use by all westbound vehicles through 12 midnight tonight.

The ZipperLane will then operate as normal during Wednesday’s morning rush-hour from 5:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the eastbound direction only.  Vehicles using the ZipperLane will require two or more passengers as normal for morning operations.

This follows the overnight deployment of the ZipperLane due to an electrical fault in the ZipMobile that resulted in a breakdown of the vehicle.  Replacement parts are being flown to Oahu and are expected to arrive before noon.  Repairs will be attempted shortly after arrival and, if successful, the ZipperLane will begin closing at approximately 2 to 3 p.m.  If repairs are not successful, the ZipperLane will remain deployed and will be opened for westbound use by all vehicles for the afternoon rush-hour.

“We truly appreciate the public’s patience and understanding with this equipment breakdown and the resulting traffic,” said Ed Sniffen, Highways Division Deputy Director.  “Crews will be expediting repairs on Wednesday and a course of action for the afternoon rush-hour will be decided and publicized as early as possible.”

The ZipMobile broke down in the Waikele area at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning due to an electrical fault in the computer system.  Repair attempts were unsuccessful and the ZipMobile was towed back to its western stopping point near Managers Drive, leaving the ZipperLane deployed during the day and overnight.

More updates will be provided as soon as new information becomes available.  HDOT sincerely thanks Oahu’s motorists for their patience and kokua.

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