City and County of Honolulu News Releases

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CITY REMINDS COMMUTERS TO AVOID KAPIOLANI BOULEVARD (Tues., Nov. 8, 2011)—The Department of Transportation Services continues to urge town-bound morning commuters from East Honolulu to avoid Kapiolani Boulevard if possible and instead utilize the H-1 Freeway, Waialae Avenue and South Beretania Street, even if those routes become more congested than usual. Many drivers avoided Kapiolani this morning due to road closures near the Hawaii Convention Center, and the Department thanks them for their patience and cooperation. But many others began to use Kapiolani in response to increased congestion on H-1 and on South Beretania. The additional traffic on Kapiolani created a severe bottleneck, especially at the intersection of Kapiolani and Kalakaua Avenue. All lanes on Kapiolani, from Kalakaua Avenue to Atkinson Drive; and all lanes on Atkinson, from Kona Street to Kapiolani; will be closed from 6:00 am to approximately 7:00 pm today through Friday, November 11, as Honolulu hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference. If possible, commuters should avoid Kapiolani altogether this week. It is better to endure increased congestion on H-1 or Beretania than to become stuck in much worse congestion along Kapiolani Boulevard, officials said. Commuters are advised to leave earlier or later than usual, if possible, and to monitor news media reports and consider using public transportation. For more information, drivers can also go to www.honolulu.gov and click on the APEC link or call 768-8305 (from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm through Friday). -30- Media contact: Department of Transportation Services Director Wayne Y. Yoshioka 768-8303