Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina, P.E. issued the following statement following Mayor Blangiardi’s State of the City address, regarding a potential temporary terminus of the rail system short of Ala Moana:
HART’s goal for the Project remains unchanged: to build a functional rail system from East Kapolei to Ala Moana Transit Center. We are committed to working collaboratively with Mayor Blangiardi, the Honolulu City Council, the HART Board and the FTA on the timely completion of the Recovery Plan and the release of federal funds in order to ensure we have the financial capacity to meet our near-term and long-term goals.
HART is currently evaluating costs associated with the Pearl Highlands Parking Garage.
An option that is under consideration, as noted by Mayor Blangiardi in today’s State of the City address, is proposing a temporary terminus at the Civic Center Station, short of Ala Moana but that can be accomplished within HART’s current estimated funding and will result in a highly functional and safe rail transit system that extends past the congested Dillingham Boulevard corridor and through downtown Honolulu. HART continues to explore cost savings, risk reductions and funding opportunities to enable the rail system to reach Ala Moana Transit Center. Our recent productive meeting with the FTA last week instills a renewed faith and confidence in the project.