A state repaving project on the Pali Highway in Nuuanu this morning caused a huge backup that extended for miles in the Honolulu-bound lanes.

The backup was reduced somewhat when one of the two lanes that had been blocked off was reopened to traffic about 10 a.m., said Tammy Mori, spokeswoman for the Department of Transportation.

Mori said the repaving work, between Puiwa Road and Wyllie Street, will continue until 3 p.m. today and is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning.

Two Honolulu-bound lanes will be blocked off from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and one lane will be closed from about 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. so the work can be completed, Mori said.

The repaving project will continue on Monday and Tuesday next week in the Kailua-bound lanes in the same area and during the same hours, Mori said.

Two Kailua-bound lanes will be closed from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., and the number of closed lanes will be reduced to one from about 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Multiple electronic message signs were posted along the highway both on the Kailua and town sides of the Pali summit for about a week prior to the start of the repaving project warning motorists to expect delays, Mori said.