Lane closures on the H-1 Freeway and surface streets were causing traffic problems Monday in Honolulu.

In the west-bound direction near the School Street on-ramp, a right lane was closed due to road repairs from a drainage problem, according to the State Department of Transportation.  One motorist called it a sinkhole.

"They try to minimize delays by not doing it during rush hour traffic, but obviously there is always traffic on our freeways so it does cause some disruptions," said Caroline Sluyter, the spokeswoman for the DOT.

But, since at least one westbound lane on the freeway between the Punahou Street overpass and the Ward Avenue overpass was closed, that forced drivers to zig-zag across the H-1.

Unsuspecting drivers got caught in the middle.

"I came from Papakolea, but I did not expect it to be bad like this," said Charity Kaina Holton.

Down by the Lunalilo Street off-ramp, patience was running out.

"We finally had to get off the freeway.  It was so bad it took us 40 minutes to get from the university to this exit over here," said Chelsea Tom.

PHOTOS: Traffic gridlock in Honolulu

SHOW THUMBNAILS

Previous

Next