In an effort to alleviate afternoon traffic congestion, Honolulu Police Department officers will be monitoring and directing traffic at the busy intersection of Kalaeloa Boulevard and Farrington Highway in Kapolei, the state Department of Transportation announced Monday.

Officers will be directing traffic at the two-way stop from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays through mid-2018. The effort comes as DOT is moving forward with the Kapolei Interchange Complex project. DOT completed the first phase in 2011, which included a new westbound onramp from Makakilo Drive and an offramp to Farrington Highway exiting near the Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii water park.

The project’s second phase is scheduled for completion in mid-2018. The installation of a permanent traffic signal at Kalaeloa Boulevard and Farrington Highway is now in the design phase.

DOT Director Ford Fuchigami touted the move as a way “to deliver immediate traffic relief” to motorists using Kalaeloa Boulevard, the main feeder to Kapolei Business Park and Campbell Industrial Park, and which also serves nearby Kapolei Commons and Costco.

“Having this police presence help with traffic control is a quick solution that will bring benefits right away,” Fuchigami said in a statement Monday.

State Rep. Andria Tupola (R, Kalaeloa-Ko Olina-Maili) praised the move and said traffic tie-ups at Nanakuli intersections could benefit from a similar police presence.

“It’s something that needed to be done a while ago. I’m glad that they’re doing that.” Tupola added, “It’s a good thing but I wonder how it’s going to affect everything else.”