Honolulu Rail Construction Begins Monday

Statement

The first phase of the Honolulu Rail Transit project will begin construction Monday when contractors start drilling for the concrete foundation shafts and support columns, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono, and U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa, announced today.

Today the city received final approval from the Federal Transit Administration to begin construction on the first section of the system's elevated guideway.

The work will begin Monday in East Kapolei near Farrington Highway in the first section of the 20-mile route.

"I would like to thank Administrator Peter Rogoff and the Federal Transit Administration for approving the start of construction on this long awaited and much needed project. I am very pleased that the city can begin building a system that will revolutionize the way residents of Oahu move about the island while diminishing our dependence on imported oil. The start of construction also means work for hundreds of highly skilled laborers as they help move Oahu forward toward a day when residents will have options other than sitting in their cars and battling traffic," said Senator Inouye.

"I congratulate the City and County of Honolulu and HART on completing this critical step toward establishing a rapid transit system for the people of Honolulu. This progress is very encouraging. I am pleased to see that the FTA and local officials are making significant strides on this project, which will give island residents a new way to get around without having to fill up at the gas pump," said Senator Akaka.

"Today's announcement by the FTA is the latest step toward taking this project from plans on paper to putting real people in our hard hit construction trades to work. I will continue to work with the delegation to see that the federal commitment remains strong and that the vision of an Oahu with more choices for commuters and less gridlock becomes a reality," said Congresswoman Hirono, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

"I'm pleased to see further progress in the Honolulu rail project. The start of construction means that more Hawaii families can look forward to jobs and economic growth, and our commuters can look forward to the day when they will have more transportation options," said Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa.

The 20-mile rail transit system from East Kapolei to Ala Moana is expected to open in 2019.

For updates on construction work days and times and more details about the project, visit the project website at www.honolulutransit.org or contact the transit hotline at 566-2299.

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