The freeway will be shut between Halawa and Pearl City to allow for survey work as part of an on-going widening project, DOT spokesman Toby Wakumoto said.

All east-bound and west-bound traffic will be diverted onto other roadways, including Moanalua Road and Kamehameha Highway, from 10 p.m. tomorrow to 4 a.m. Friday

The closing of all lanes is needed to allow engineers designing the widening to precisely measure the height of the new lane, which will be 50 feet off the ground.

"Even the slightest vibration from passing traffic in the opposite direction could affect the survey work," Wakumoto said.

When completed late next year, the $55 million project is expected to add one west-bound lane to H-1 past Waimalu, offering some relief to thousands of motorists who are delayed daily in the heavily congested area.

State officials occasionally close all lanes of a highway in one direction for repair or repaving work, but it's rare to close the state's busiest highway in both directions.

"No one remembers the last time it was done," Wakumoto said.

Although the late-night timing of the shutdown was chosen to minimize delays, officials expect to see heavy traffic on the main roads through the 'Aiea-Pearl City area during the closure.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5460.