Motorists should be prepared to use alternate routes and expect delays as full Ewa-bound closures of the H-1 freeway begin Sunday night and continue every night, except weekends, for the next two weeks, the state Department of Transportation said.

From Sunday to Friday, the freeway will be closed overnight in the Ewa-bound direction from Vineyard Boulevard to Halona Street, just past the Palama Street offramp. The closures will occur at 8 each night and last until 5 the next morning, Sunday night through Friday morning.

The last Ewa-bound exit will be Vineyard Boulevard and the first Ewa-bound onramp will be from Halona Street. The DOT is recommending drivers use Vineyard Boulevard, Dillingham Boulevard or Nimitz Highway. 

The closures are part of the H-1 Freeway Rehabilitation Project. They allow the contractor to continue the pavement reconstruction portion of the project, which includes removing deteriorated sections and rebuilding them with asphaltic concrete.

The Koko Head-bound lanes of the H-1 will continue to have shifting lane closures with only one lane open from 9 p.m to 5 a.m. nightly, also from Sunday nights to Friday mornings. Ramp closures will be updated daily on H1Rehab.com.

When the project is finished this summer, the H-1 will have an additional lane in both directions between Punahou Street and Likelike Highway.