Starting Monday Oct. 15, the Haleiwa-bound lane of traffic across the Karsten Thot Bridge in Wahiawa will be opened only for passenger vehicle traffic from 3 p.m. through 7 p.m. on weekdays, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The Honolulu-bound lane will remain open for morning commuters from 5 am. through 9 a.m. on weekdays for the duration of the repair work on the bridge.

The morning and afternoon lanes are open to passenger vehicles, emergency vehicles and school buses.  No city buses, tour buses or heavy commercial vehicles will be allowed.  Pedestrians will be able to use the bridge.

The DOT says the afternoon northbound single lane opening is possible because much of the major critical structural work underneath the bridge is nearly complete.

However, structural work continues and further work involving sandblasting and painting below the bridge still needs to be done.

The 80-year-old steel bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic for critical emergency structural repairs since Sept. 17.

Due to the closure, work has progressed well, according to state officials.  Estimates for the project completion date are still within the six-week initial projection.

If work continues as scheduled, the DOT anticipates completion by the end of October.

Within the next year, additional work to repaint the top of the bridge structure will be put out to bid.  This work is anticipated to take place during off-peak traffic times, such as at night or on weekends.  While not considered part of this emergency work, the painting is important to reduce and prevent rust and corrosion.