Afternoon rush-hour relief is on the way for Ewa-bound motorists as the state prepares to start construction on the H-1 Freeway P.M. Contraflow.

State transportation officials are accepting bids for the $75 million westbound contraflow project, which will operate like the morning Zipper Lane in the eastbound direction, as well as the next phase of the Lahaina Bypass Project.

“;These projects will help to improve the quality of life for thousands of motorists each day, getting them through traffic and home to their families faster than ever before,”; state Transportation Director Brennon Morioka said yesterday.

Previous estimates have been that 10 to 20 minutes could be shaved off a commute with the freeway contraflow lane.

The Oahu work consists of a combination of the H-1 Freeway P.M. Contraflow, and the Pearl City and Waimalu Viaducts Improvement Projects. They were consolidated to reduce the impact on the public and minimize construction time and cost, Morioka said. Construction could start in summer, and federal funds cover 90 percent of the $75 million cost.

The contraflow project will provide an additional lane in the westbound direction during afternoon rush hour with a barrier system similar to the Zipper Lane available from Waikele to the Honolulu Airport.

Morioka said the lane will run from the Radford Drive overpass to the Waiawa interchange where the H-1 and H-2 freeways merge.

The viaduct project will improve the safety of aging Pearl City and Waimalu viaducts along the H-1 freeway.

On Maui, phase 1B-1 of the Lahaina Bypass Project, also known as the Honoapiilani Highway Realignment Project, will cost an estimated $50 million, 80 percent of which is federally funded, Morioka said.

The project will allow motorists to avoid daily traffic through Lahaina town. The 2-mile stretch will connect Lahainaluna Road and Hokiokio Place.

In the last nine months, several transportation projects have been pushed through with the help of federal stimulus money, Morioka said. Bids have been running 60 percent to 70 percent of the original projected costs.

“;So we expect to see lots of favorable bids (for the two new projects),”; Morioka said. “;There's lots of competition among contractors, so the public gets a better price.”;