What is the current status of the construction for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project?
The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is being built in three operating segments: Segment 1 (East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium)Includes nine stations: Kualaka‘i (East Kapolei), Keone‘ae (UH-West O‘ahu), Ho‘opili (Honouliuli), Hō‘ae‘ae (West Loch), Pouhala (Waipahu Transit Center), Hālaulani (Leeward Community College), Waiawa (Pearl Highlands), Kalauao (Pearlridge), and Hālawa (Aloha Stadium). Trial operations was completed in April […]
Why won’t the rail stations in Segment 3 have escalators?
Segment 3, also known as the City Center Guideway and Stations (CCGS) construction segment, includes six stations: Kalihi, Honolulu Community College-Kapālama, Iwilei, Chinatown, Downtown, and Civic Center. The decision to exclude escalators from stations in Segment 3 was driven by a commitment to reduce capital costs of construction and long term maintenance. From an operations […]
When did Trial Operations for Segment 2 start, and what should passengers expect during this phase?
Trial Operations for Segment 2 began on July 26, 2025. This phase includes rigorous testing of 26 different operating scenarios and a System Service Availability Demonstration, which measures the system’s performance and reliability. The system must achieve an average availability requirement of 98.5% over a 30-day rolling period, which is projected to be completed by […]
What is the Mauka Shift?
The Mauka Shift refers to a plan to move a section of the rail guideway from the center of Dillingham Boulevard to the mauka side of the street. This saves time and money for the Project by eliminating the need to relocate certain utilities. Currently there is a complex web of electricity, water, sewer and […]
What is the “City Center Utilities Relocation” project, and what is the schedule for rail station and guideway construction work?
The City Center Utilities Relocation project include the movement of utilities, such as water, sewer, gas, electrical, and communications infrastructure, and relocating overhead utilities underground, to prepare for construction of the rail guideway and stations in the Kalihi, Iwilei, Downtown, and Kakaʻako areas. The project scope also includes roadway widening to accommodate the placement of […]
Will steel plates be used during utility relocation, and how will noise be reduced?
Yes, steel plates are used during construction. Contractors typically place compacted cold mix asphalt around the edges for an easy transition from the ground onto the plate, and tack weld plates together to reduce noise and provide a smoother surface for vehicles.
What are the hours of work for the City Center projects?
Work hours vary by project: Downtown Utilities Relocation: Monday through Saturday, 7:00 am to 5:30 pm and 8 pm to 5 am. Dillingham Utilities Relocation: Ongoing 24/7. Guideway and Stations Construction: Monday through Friday (Saturdays as needed), 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. Nimitz Highway work will require night hours and will be announced once scheduled.
What is the status of the wheel/rail issues?
In late 2020, it was discovered that there was a misalignment of the wheels and rails in the double-crossovers (also known as “frogs”) due to the wheels being too narrow. As a precaution, speed restrictions were put in place for all trains traveling through the double-crossovers. An independent industry expert was engaged to evaluate the […]