State transportation officials are restricting left turns from 29th Avenue, also known as Poni Moi Avenue, onto Keaau Pahoa Road (Highway 130) on Hawaii island during peak, weekday morning hours as part of a pilot to improve traffic flow, starting Monday, Feb. 19.

The left-turn restriction will be conducted on a trial basis for two weeks, 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays, Feb. 19 through March 5. Uncontrolled access along Highway 130 was identified as a safety concern in an environmental assessment.

The state transportation department will consider limiting the number of access points to the highway along portions of the corridor in accordance with recommendations from the assessment.

“We are constantly exploring cost-efficient and effective ways to improve our highways system,” said state deputy director for highways Ed Sniffen in a press release. “Hawaii District crews have observed a.m. traffic building in this area due in part to multiple side street connections to the highway. We are limiting access from 29th Avenue as a test to evaluate the benefits and impacts of the restriction.”

Signs notifying motorists of the left-turn restriction will be up, as well as traffic control devices at the intersection.

Comments from the community are welcome by phone to the Hawaii Department of Transportation Hawaii District at 933-8866 or e-mail to DOTPAO@hawaii.gov prior to the end of the trial March 5.