HONOLULU -- The zipper lane on the H-1 freeway was open to all vehicles this morning because of a seven-car crash in the eastbound lanes, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The crash happened at about 5:45 a.m. between the Kaonohi Street overpass and the Kaamilo Street overpass, police said.

There were no serious injuries, but up to four of the lanes were closed during the morning rush hour, the Honolulu Police Department said. That is why the Department of Transportation opened the zipper lane to all traffic.

"Any time there is an accident that's major and going to have a major effect on our commute, the DOT director has the authority to open up the zipper lane to all lanes of traffic," DOT spokeswoman Tammy Mori said.

Most of the lanes were reopened shortly before 7:30 a.m.

The traffic back vehicles on the H-2 Freeway to nearly Mililani and Kapolei on the H-1 Freeway at one point.

"It took me 2.5 hours to get here and it normally takes me less than an hour," commuter Laurie Joseph said.

Freeway Service Patrol units were first on the scene. Once emergency responders were finished, they were able to tow away the cars, DOT officials said.

"They do move really quickly and in cases like this i think they really sped up the process," Mori said.

Honolulu police said clearing the crash scene did not take unusually long.