State: Zipper lane closed in time for afternoon rush hour

HONOLULU (AP) - The state Department of Transportation has averted a repeat of horrific traffic caused by a broken down ZipMobile.

The ZipMobile machine that closes the zipper lane had an electrical fire in its engine Wednesday. A tow truck was used to pull the vehicle to close the remaining barrier segments.

The department says the zipper lane was completely closed at 2 p.m., allowing all H-1 freeway lanes to be open for normal afternoon traffic.

The zipper lane is opened during the morning rush-hour to help ease Honolulu-bound traffic on the freeway.

On March 31, Oahu drivers faced hours-long traffic jams because of a broken down ZipMobile that left four westbound lanes closed on the freeway.

The state says the backup ZipMobile is functioning and will be used Thursday.