Zipper lane going
back to 3-rider rule
State transportation officials will return original ridership rules to the H-1 Freeway zipper lane starting next month.
The change will take effect April 5. Vehicles will need at least three occupants to use the zipper lane from 5 to 7 a.m. and vehicles with two occupants or more can use the lane from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
The state has allowed two people per vehicle in the zipper lane since last year's bus strike.
"We had also opened the Nimitz contraflow lane the same day after the bus strike ended so at the time we decided to make it the same ridership requirements for the zipper, HOV and Nimitz contraflow lanes," said state transportation director Rod Haraga.
"We also wanted to see how traffic would flow with two people per vehicle in the zipper lane, but found it became too congested. We want the zipper lane to continue to be an incentive for ridesharing."
The zipper lane runs from Waikele to the Honolulu Airport viaduct from 5 to 8:30 a.m. on weekdays, except state holidays.
The Nimitz contraflow lane will remain at two people per vehicle but will later change to three people per vehicle when the two routes are connected next year. The $9 million project will create a continuous route for those who carpool from Central Oahu into Downtown.
State Department of Transportation