Road Work Set To Beat School Jam

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The state Department of Transportation’s Beat The School Jam is in full swing as more than 50,000 university, community college and private school students hit the roadways this week, including the University of Hawaii at Manoa, UH-West Oahu and Honolulu, Kapiolani, Leeward and Windward community colleges.

According to the DOT, most of its highway road work will be put on hold from Aug. 21 through Sept. 4 as part of the campaign. Lane closures will not be scheduled during the daytime along the following state roads (night work and daytime shoulder/landscaping work will be allowed):

* H-1 (from Paiwa Interchange to Kahala Mall), H-2, H-3 freeways

* Kalanianaole Highway from Kahala Mall to Lunalilo Home Road

* Kamehameha Highway from Acacia Road to Valkenburg Street

* Nimitz Highway/Ala Moana Boulevard from Valkenburg Street to Kalakaua Avenue

* Kalihi Street/Likelike Highway from Nimitz Highway to Kamehameha Highway

* Pali Highway/Kalanianaole Highway/Kailua Road from Vineyard Boulevard to Kailua Town

* Vineyard Boulevard from Palama Street to Punchbowl Street

* Moanalua Freeway * Kahekili Highway Motorists are advised to adjust their travel times, if possible, leaving earlier or later to avoid peak travel times, or use alternative modes of transportation including walking to work, biking, taking TheBus or carpooling/vanpooling.

Alternative commuting options include:

* Along with regular city bus service, TheBus offers express service during the morning and afternoon rush hours, and will be working with schools and businesses to encourage ridership. University of Hawaii students can purchase discounted bus passes, and employers can participate in the city’s tax-deductible bus passes for their employees. For more information, call 848-5555 or visit TheBus web site at www.thebus.org

* Vanpool Hawaii offers vehicles to groups of four or more for their shared commute. The cost starts at $55 per person a month. Vanpoolers share the commute fuel and parking costs. 596-VANS or www.vanpoolhawaii.com

* Leeward Oahu Transportation Management Association (LOTMA): Commuters traveling from Central/Leeward Oahu who are interested in carpooling or riding a private bus into downtown Honolulu and Waikiki can contact LOTMA at 677-RIDE (www.lotma.org)

For more information, call the state Dept. of Transportation Ride Share coordinator at 692-7695.