The Hawaii Department of Transportation and Young Brothers are launching a new pilot project starting Monday, March 17 to improve traffic flow headed eastbound on Nimitz Highway as it approaches Waiakamilo Street.

What You Need To Know

  • YB will set up a mobile container at the HDOT weigh station on Sand Island located just before the Sand Island bridge from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. every Monday and Thursday to pre-check trucks heading to the YB facility at Piers 39 and 40

  • Attempts made in the past to address these concerns included communications to motor carriers and enforcement to ensure motor carriers did not park on Nimitz Highway prior to the gate opening

  • In support of the pilot project, parking along the makai curb of Auiki Street between Kalihi Street and Libby Street will be restricted from 6 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday

For years, trucks turning right from Nimitz Highway into YB’s Nimitz Gate have caused a backlog in the right lane, forcing unknowing drivers to change lanes in order to get past the traffic light at the Nimitz and Waiakamilo intersection.

As part of the pilot, YB will set up a mobile container at the HDOT weigh station on Sand Island located just before the Sand Island bridge from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. every Monday and Thursday to pre-check trucks heading to the YB facility at Piers 39 and 40.

“Nimitz Highway is among the top four locations for truck volume in the state with between 4,500 to 5,000 trucks driving this corridor daily,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen in a release. “Our goal in partnering with YB for this pilot is to improve the flow of goods, safety and traffic conditions for all who travel through this key corridor.”

According to the release, the community has raised concerns with HDOT and YB about the backlog of trucks in the right lane. Attempts made in the past to address these concerns included communications to motor carriers and enforcement to ensure motor carriers did not park on Nimitz Highway prior to the gate opening.

Beginning March 17, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. every Monday and Thursday, the process for the pre-check pilot program will be:

  • Motor carriers carrying containers from either Matson or Pasha terminals to the YB facility at Piers 39 and 40 will be directed to the HDOT Sand Island weigh station to pre-check their equipment.
  • After completing the pre-check, approved trucks will be allowed to enter YB’s Libby Gate on Auiki Street via its “fast flow” lane. Trucks that have not successfully completed the pre-check will be queued in an area off Auiki Street.
  • During pilot hours, no trucks will check in at YB’s Nimitz Gate and there will be no exit through YB’s Libby Gate.

“Minimizing delays and improving access to our facilities will help create a more efficient and reliable experience for our trucking partners and customers,” said Chris Martin, vice president of operations for Young Brothers. “Through this effort with HDOT, we’re streamlining operations to support a smoother flow of cargo, ultimately benefiting businesses and communities across Hawaii.”

In support of the pilot project, parking along the makai curb of Auiki Street between Kalihi Street and Libby Street will be restricted from 6 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.

HDOT and YB will monitor the effectiveness of the pilot as it relates to improving traffic flow and reducing congestion. YB customers have also received communications about the pilot to alert their truckers to the changes.