Motorists should be prepared to use alternate routes and expect delays as Ewa-bound closures of the H-1 freeway began Sunday night and will continue nightly, except weekends, for the next two weeks, the state Department of Transportation said.

From Sunday to Friday the freeway will be closed in the Ewa-bound direction from Vineyard Boulevard to Halona Street, just past the Palama Street off­ramp. Closures will start at 8 each night and last until 5 the next morning, Sunday night through Friday morning.

The last Ewa-bound exit will be Vineyard Boulevard, and the first Ewa-bound onramp will be from Halona Street. The DOT is recommending that drivers use Vineyard Boulevard, Dillingham Boulevard or Nimitz Highway.

The closures are part of the H-1 Freeway Rehabilitation Project. They allow the contractor to continue the pavement reconstruction portion of the project, which includes removing deteriorated sections and rebuilding them with asphaltic concrete.

Koko Head-bound lanes of the H-1 will continue to have shifting lane closures with only one lane open from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly, also from Sunday nights to Friday mornings. Ramp closures will be updated daily on H1Rehab.com.

When the project is finished this summer, the H-1 will have an additional lane in both directions between Punahou Street and Likelike Highway.