The City & County of Honolulu has received approval spend US$184.7m (£116m) to begin building the foundations and piers for the first segment of the Honolulu rail transit route.

The US Federal Transit Administration granted the city permission to proceed with advanced construction in a ‘letter of no prejudice’ (LONP) that was delivered yesterday. The LONP allows for construction associated with the West Oahu/Farrington Highway segment, the Kamehameha Highway segment, the maintenance and storage facility, and the Farrington Highway stations group.

“We have debated and discussed a rail transit plan for Oahu for decades and I am very pleased that the administration is allowing the city to proceed with construction,” said senator Daniel Inouye. “Too many hard working families on the West side of the island spend too much of their time stuck in traffic.  This project offers an alternative to driving and helps lessen our dependence on imported fossil fuels.  The construction of the rail line will create jobs and help a construction industry that is always in need of good work.  I will continue to do everything I can to support this project and direct federal funds to ensure its timely completion.”

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