New Punchbowl lane should open by this afternoon

By Scott Ishikawa
Transportation Writer

A project to create a second mauka-bound lane on Punchbowl Street from Vineyard Boulevard to the H-1 Freeway should be finished by this afternoon.

Contractor Rons Construction Corp. hopes to finish the permanent road restriping along that section of Punchbowl Street by 3:30 p.m. today, according to Rod Haraga of KFC Engineering Management Inc. KFC is overseeing many of the city's downtown projects.

Traffic engineers believe a second mauka-bound lane will allow more traffic to get through the intersection of Punchbowl Street and Vineyard Boulevard.

Because of limited green-light timing for mauka-bound Punchbowl Street motorists, traffic tends to back up to Beretania Street.

Signs informing drivers of the lane changes are already up. Drivers using the second-mauka lane will be able to move through the intersection or turn right onto Vineyard.

Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikaw@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.