Motorists who struggled with the "is it open/ is it closed" question will find clear sailing this weekend as the Kane'ohe-bound Wilson Tunnel reopens as scheduled.

Workers have been laboring around the clock to meet tomorrow's deadline, and it "is probably going to go down to the wire," said Scott Ishikawa, state Department of Transportation spokesman.

Repairs on the tunnel began July 5 and were expected to take 30 days. But rain on 20 of the 30 days made it difficult for construction crews to lay concrete, according to Ishikawa.

"The weather has not been too cooperative," he said.

But contractors have assured Ishikawa that the Kane'ohe-bound tunnel will be reopened by the weekend.

However, don't get used to smooth traveling: The town-bound tunnel will undergo similar construction in September.

Boyd Akase of Kane'ohe normally uses Likelike Highway for his morning commute into town but opted to use Pali Highway once construction began at Wilson Tunnel.

"I think it will be a safer tunnel to drive through. I'm happy they did the renovations to it," he said.

Akase, 34, estimated that he lost at least 10 to 15 minutes on his morning commute time by avoiding Likelike.

"I'll probably use it again once it opens — it's more convenient," he said.

One portion near the exit of the tunnel gave construction crews headaches because it is more prone to the effects of rain. It has been particularly difficult to lay concrete in that area, Ishikawa said.

DOT has not reported any other problems.

Workers have been tearing out the aging concrete floor of the tunnel and replacing it with a new grooved concrete surface with better traction.

After completion of the project and a one-month break for the back-to-school jam, a similar project will begin on the Honolulu-bound side on Sept. 6.

DOT has received calls from a few motorists who questioned the rationale for repairing the Kane'ohe-bound side first.

"We wanted to take care of the safety problem first," said Ishikawa, who noted the Kane'ohe-bound side was the site of a multi-car accident late last year.