Bypasses cause some tie-ups

But motorists gradually adjusted to the detour, according to transportation officials.

The bypasses are now open as contractors closed a portion of the H-1 freeway between Kunia and Makakilo to rebuild a bridge over the new North-South Road. Motorists in both Honolulu-bound and Waianae-bound directions are being diverted onto the bypasses, with three lanes in each direction. Work is expected to take about six months.

At 8:30 p.m. Saturday, two of three Honolulu-bound lanes were closed as contractors changed lane stripes and moved concrete barriers to divert motorists onto the bypass lanes. The process took about 11 hours before the bypass lanes were all opened at 7:30 a.m.

About 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the process ran smoother with contractors completing the change on the Waianae-bound lanes in 10 hours before it opened about 4:30 a.m. yesterday, said Tammy Mori, spokeswoman for the Department of Transportation.

Special-duty officers monitored traffic over the weekend. A police officer will continue to monitor traffic throughout the week to maintain traffic flow and safety.

No lane changes are allowed on the bypass route. The speed limit is 50 mph.