There will be traffic delays for the foreseeable future for people going to the North Shore from the Windward side after high surf this week washed out a section of Kamehameha Highway in Kaaawa.

The Department of Transportation said Friday that the northbound lane of Kamehameha Highway near Kaaawa Valley Road and Kanenelu Beach is closed until further notice.

Traffic will continue to be contra-flowed in the southbound lane.

High surf Thursday washed over the highway and damaged some of the asphalt and a guardrail in the area. Crews placed boulders in the compromised area to help prevent further erosion.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible and drive with caution. Police will direct traffic as long as the lane closure is necessary.

“We are working to make the repairs as quickly as possible with the least amount of impact to residents, businesses and visitors,” said Ed Sniffen, DOT Highways Division deputy director. “We are expediting additional permanent projects that will address the shoreline issues in the area.”

Moving the roadway mauka and narrowing the lanes are possible immediate solutions to restore two-way traffic, but the DOT had no timetable on when two-way traffic would be restored.

The Department of Transportation completed emergency repairs last year to a section of Kamehameha Highway in Kaaawa between Trout Farm Road and Keo Place because of damage to the road due to wave erosion.

The repaired road is about a half-mile north of the area that was washed out Thursday.