Back to School Jam Plan Responds to Community Concerns

HONOLULU — Motorists in the Lunalilo off-ramp area will experience modified morning driving conditions when they hit the road on Monday, August 15th. That’s because the State Department of Transportation (DOT) has changed the closure hours for the H-1 Freeway Lunalilo On-Ramp. The on-ramp will be reopened one hour earlier on weekdays at 8:30 a.m., instead of its current re-opening time at 9:30 a.m. The modified on-ramp closure hours will be from 6 to 8:30 a.m. on weekdays, excluding state holidays.

The DOT made the announcement of the modified schedule during its launch of the Annual “Beat the School Jam” Campaign on August 10.

Sen. Carol Fukunaga (District 11, Makiki/Punchbowl, Ala Moana, McCully) and Rep. Karl Rhoads (District 28, Palama, Downtown, Chinatown, Sheridan) have worked to restore access to the Lunalilo On-ramp since the morning closure began. Based on data from a City study, “Administrative Draft, Kakaako Areawide Traffic Study,” it appears that the largest amount of rush-hour traffic is between 6:30-7:30 a.m.

“I commend the Department of Transportation in taking Makiki/Punchbowl residents’ concerns into consideration,” said Sen. Carol Fukunaga. “This will help reduce the level of congestion on adjoining City streets for area motorists.”

“Rep. Karl Rhoads noted, “The 9:30 a.m. re-opening time has been burdensome for area residents, with new construction affecting traffic on Beretania, Piikoi and other surface streets. The adjusted time will help reinstate H-1 Freeway access in time to avoid lane closures on nearby City streets.”

The DOT’s closure of the H-1 Freeway Lunalilo On-Ramp from 6 to 9:30 a.m. began in 2005. The morning closure is aimed at improving the flow of traffic on H-1 Freeway for downtown commuters, but it has increased traffic congestion in neighborhoods near Royal, Kaahumanu, St. Clements, Roosevelt, Punahou, and Maryknoll schools.