Contraflow improving
west Oahu’s commute
It's only been two weeks, but state officials say it appears the Nimitz Highway contraflow lane is reducing traffic congestion coming from west Oahu.
During the busiest traffic period, between 6 and 7:30 a.m., 2,800 vehicles traveled the three lanes of Nimitz Highway before the contraflow lane was added. Now, 4,400 vehicles travel on the four lanes during the same period. About 1,750 vehicles use the contraflow lane each day.
Commuters have told the state Department of Transportation the contraflow lane has reduced travel time by 10 to 20 minutes each morning, Transportation Director Rod Haraga said yesterday.
Haraga said the contraflow on Nimitz Highway may also be reducing traffic on the H-1 freeway by encouraging commuters to exit at Nimitz rather than continuing past the Middle Street merge.
The state will not do a full study on the contraflow project for several weeks, since the contraflow started just as the bus strike was ending and commuters may still be adjusting their traffic behavior.
So far there have been no accidents related to the contraflow lane. The only problem has been that solo drivers are sometimes using the lane, which is supposed to be used only by people who carpool.
Haraga said police may begin citing drivers who use the lane illegally.
The state plans to evaluate the contraflow lane in February. If the community supports the project, the state will start construction on extending the ZipLane on the H-1 freeway to connect with the Nimitz contraflow lane.
