Contraflow along Nimitz ready to begin

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

For decades, people have been saying something should be done about traffic on Nimitz Highway.

Starting tomorrow, something will.

State officials will launch a $1 million project for a morning contraflow lane on the highway, which carries more than 3,700 cars per hour during peak hours.

The project will use cones to convert a westbound lane for use by townbound traffic, giving those commuters a total of four lanes.

If a four-month trial program proves successful, the contraflow lane will become a permanent fixture on Honolulu's commuting scene, Transportation Department spokesman Scott Ishikawa said.

"We'll be looking to see how it affects traffic on Nimitz Highway and other main roads leading into town," Ishikawa said.

As far back as the 1950s, Nimitz Highway has been considered one of O'ahu's most congested roadways; numerous plans and projects, including a proposed double-decking of the highway, have been proposed to alleviate the problem.

The contraflow plan has been under discussion for more than a decade, but was opposed by area businesses and residents who feared it would disrupt commerce and street traffic in the area.

The contraflow lane will be open from 5:30 to 8:30 a.m. to cars with two or more occupants. It will start near Ke'ehi Interchange and run for about two miles to Pier 32, near Hilo Hattie's.

Ishikawa said extra police officers will be stationed in the area during the first weeks of the project to protect pedestrians, guide motorists through the new traffic changes and ensure that single-occupant vehicles aren't using the lane.