The U.S. Federal Transit Administration has informed Congress of its plans to release $1.55 billion for the Honolulu elevated rail project.
Project officials have described the agreement as an ‘historic’ day for the rail transportation in Hawaii.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) executive director and CEO Dan Grabauskas said: “Many people deserve a lot of credit for helping the rail project achieve this long-awaited milestone. We want to especially thank those on the federal level – the FTA, the Obama Administration and our Hawaii congressional delegation led by Sen. Inouye – who worked tirelessly and closely with the City over the years throughout this funding approval process.”
Once completed, the rapid transit line will connect Kapolei with the Ala Moana Center – Hawaii’s biggest shopping center – in Honolulu.
Before the latest project, plans to construct a rail network on the island had been unsuccessfully pursued for the last 40 years.
“This is the best holiday gift the citizens of Honolulu could possibly receive: the lean, clean, smart city of the future,” Mayor Peter Carlisle said.
“And the $250 million appropriation included for Honolulu in the President’s proposed FY2013 budget is the single largest amount for any New Starts project in the United States.”
