Ewa-bound lane closures on the H-1 freeway near Pearl City are slated to start at 7:30 p.m. as of Thursday night, state transportation officials said. Earlier this week the closures started at 9 p.m.

The closures are part of the ongoing H-1 Pearl City deck repairs, expected to last into next year.

In a news release, the state Department of Transportation said it is trying out a new lane-closure configuration, where the first lane will be closed farther west and three of the six Ewa-bound lanes will be open across a greater length of freeway, in an attempt to help traffic flow better. As freeway drivers approach the work zone, only two lanes will be open.

The first cone for one-lane closure starts between the  Kaonohi Street and Kaamilo Street overpasses. Previously the first cone for one-lane closures started near the Aiea pedestrian overpass.

Three of six lanes will remain open as motorists approach the Kaahumanu Street overpass. A coned exit lane for the Pearl City offramp will remain in place.

The deck repair project involves removing sections of concrete on the freeway in the evening and then pouring new concrete to set overnight.