State transportation officials said today that the afternoon hours of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on the westbound H-1 freeway will be extended by an hour and a half, starting Monday.

The extended hours will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays from the current HOV hours of 3:30 to 6 p.m., excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

The extended hours will match the hours of operation for the westbound H-1 freeway shoulder from Halawa to Pearl City, state officials said, and signs will be changed to reflect the new hours.

Changing the signs, however, will require a single, left-lane closure on the H-1 freeway in both directions between the Middle Street overpass and the Waipahu offramp (Exit 8B) from 7 a.m. Saturday through 7 p.m. on Sunday. The lanes will be reopened if the work is completed early.

Motorists are reminded that two or more occupants are needed in order to drive in the HOV lane.

Motorcycles, school buses, public transit buses, emergency vehicles, and electric vehicles with “Electric Vehicle” printed on the license plate may also use the HOV lane.