David Y. Ige

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) notifies Oahu motorists that the hours of the afternoon westbound H-1 Freeway High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane are to be extended.

Effective Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 the HOV lane hours will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The current HOV hours are 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The extended hours will match the hours of operation for the westbound H-1 Freeway shoulder from Halawa to Pearl City. The signs on the H-1 Freeway will be changed to reflect the new hours.

The sign work will require a single left lane closure on the H-1 Freeway in both directions between the Middle Street overpass and the Waipahu offramp (Exit 8B) from 7 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 continuously through 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. The lanes will be reopened if the work is completed early.

Motorists are reminded that two or more occupants are needed in the vehicle to drive in the HOV lane. The following, regardless of number of occupants, may also use the HOV lane: motorcycles, school buses, public transit buses, emergency vehicles, and electric vehicles with “Electric Vehicle” printed on the license plate. All vehicles, regardless of number of occupants, may use the shoulder during its designated hours.

Motorists are advised to use GoAkamai.org for real-time traffic information and to account for extra travel time to reach their destinations. Roadwork is weather permitting.

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