Board of Water Supply officials say the repair to the Moanalua 42-inch transmission main was a success, and they anticipate work on the surrounding area will likely continue through mid-July.

The work will continue on repaving the road, re-striping and putting back the guardrails, which will continue to affect the westbound lanes of the Moanalua Freeway and some onramps near Fort Shafter.

The work will pause Sunday and Monday for the Fourth of July holiday.

BWS used a method it had not used before, sending welders into the large pipe to close up the gash from inside the steel pipe.

Ordinarily, pipes are repaired from the outside, but since this is the largest of the pipes in the BWS system, a person could actually fit into it to get the job done.

“Phoenix International did an excellent job welding” from the inside of the 42-inch steel pipe, said BWS spokeswoman Kathleen Pahinui. “American Boiler sealed up the pipe from the top.”

Had the method proved unsuccessful, BWS would have resorted to its tried-and-true method of repairing the main externally, which would have required digging a much larger hole surrounding the tear in the pipe to prevent cave-ins and would likely be completed closer to the end of July.

The welding work was done June 25 to Sunday. The water main was flushed and water samples were tested.

The results were received Wednesday and confirmed the drinking water standards are being met, BWS said.

Water service through this main was restored Wednesday for the first time since June 18. This water main serves Honolulu from Kalihi to Hawaii Kai. BWS maintained service to its customers after the break.

Pahinui said, “We did a lot of tweaking. Our systems ops moved around water as needed, and our team was able to manage at this time. We are grateful to have the water back on service.”

Motorists are advised to avoid the area by taking Nimitz Highway or the Airport Viaduct.

The following will be closed for the remainder of the repairs:

>> Far-right westbound lane of the Moanalua Freeway (H-201) from Middle Street to the Fort Shafter/Kaua Street onramp

>> Fort Shafter/Ahua Street offramp

Closed as needed:

>> Fort Shafter onramp from Kaua Street to Moanalua Freeway

>> Additional westbound lane of Moanalua Freeway, 8 p.m.- 4 a.m.

>> Additional lane closures for paving work