Freeway lane restriping causes potentially dangerous merger at Kinau Street

Lane restriping as part of the H-1 rehabilitation project is causing a potentially dangerous merger at the Kinau Street off-ramp, and the state Department of Transportation says it is planning to restripe the area again to make it safer for motorists.

Video from a nearby pedestrian overpass shows vehicles on the freeway traveling in the area where the old Kinau Street exit lane was, prior to restriping. That area became a shoulder lane when the lanes were restriped, and the exit was modified to begin from a lane further left of the original one.

Now, though, video shows cars coming within feet of each other as they merge from the old lane into the restriped lane as they approach the exit.

Transportation officials say workers will spend the early part of the week working to modify the off-ramp again to make the exit more closely resemble its original configuration.

The following information is from the state Dept. of Transportation:

The state Department of Transportation is advising motorists that recent changes to the Kinau Street Off-Ramp of the H1 Freeway will be undergoing modifications to return it to more closely resemble its original configuration. This will be taking place tonight or in the next few nights depending on weather conditions.

Other changes to eastbound restriping on the H1 Freeway between the Likelike Off-Ramp and Ward Avenue will remain in place. Additional signage alerting drivers to the change at the Liliha Street On-Ramp will be added.

Motorists should also be aware that restriping and some ramp modifications and possible closures will be taking place in the westbound direction between Ward Avenue and Middle Street. These changes will take place overnight during the next week or two, again dependent on weather conditions.

The purpose of these changes is to allow work during the day and continue to keep three-through lanes of traffic open in each direction during the day. In addition the restriping allows for fewer lanes to be closed at night. Work is being allowed during the day and night in order for the project to be completed in the least possible amount of time.

In the next few weeks, drivers in both the east and westbound directions on the H1 Freeway from the vicinity of Middle Street to Ward Avenue are advised to slow down and be aware of changes to traffic and ramp patterns. The DOT thanks the public for their patience and urges drivers to slow down in the work zone for their safety and the safety of all motorists and workers. Mahalo.

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