Waimanu Street opens to two way traffic between Pensacola Street and Piikoi Street Friday.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell said the two-way design should improve traffic around Ala Moana Shopping Center, through Kakaako, and on Ala Moana Boulevard, and provide direct access to businesses and residences. 

"This project will benefit Oahu drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and bus and rail riders for years to come, with a complete streets design that will make travelling more pleasant for everyone," he said.

Traffic signals were modified at Pensacola and Piikoi streets and the mauka lane of Waimanu Street was converted into a westbound lane with on-street parking.

General Growth Properties, the owner of the Ala Moana Shopping Center, paid for the cost of converting Waimanu Street.  

The project, which started in September, was completed by Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. before the Christmas shopping rush.

Before September, Waimanu Street, between Pensacola and Piikoi streets, was a four-lane, one-way, eastbound road.

With the change, motorists traveling makai (southbound) on Piikoi Street may turn right onto Waimanu Street; and motorists leaving the Ala Moana Center may travel straight to Waimanu Street via one lane. Mauka bound (northbound)  motorists on Piikoi Street will not be able to make a left-turn onto Waimanu Street.