Construction of the columns and foundations for the first segment of the city’s $5.3 billion elevated rail system will begin Monday in West Oahu, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation announced Friday.
Contractor Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. was given the go-ahead to begin drilling for the concrete foundation shafts and support columns in East Kapolei near Farrington Highway, at the western end of the 2.5-mile leg of the 20-mile route.
Earlier Friday, HART received the green light from the Federal Transit Administration for construction of the first phase. A memo from U.S. Department of Transportation Regional Administrator Leslie T. Rogers said his agency concurs with a HART report that declares there are no "traditional cultural properties" within the project area west of Fort Weaver Road.
"This significant milestone for the rail project moves us closer to providing Oahu residents with an alternative to sitting in horrific traffic congestion," Dan Grabauskas, HART executive director and CEO, said in a written statement.
Carrie Okinaga, HART board chairwoman, said keeping the project on schedule is "critical to keeping our costs within budget."
The columns will be built parallel to Farrington Highway between Kualakai Parkway (former North-South Road) and Fort Weaver Road.
Rail opponents and some City Council members have criticized the city for pushing ahead with construction of the columns before the federal government has committed to provide $1.55 billion to help fund the rail system. HART officials said an internal analysis concluded it is cheaper to have Kiewit build the columns now, even if they have to be torn down later. Former HART interim Executive Director Toru Hamayasu said each month of construction delay would add $10 million to the cost of the project.
Grabauskas, who took over as executive director last week, told reporters last week he fully expects the city to obtain the federal dollars. The Obama administration, through Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said last week it continues to support the project, and "we will continue to work through whatever issues need to be worked through."
Preliminary work along the Farrington Highway corridor began in April 2011 with the relocating of utilities. The entire route, running to Ala Moana Center, is slated to be done in 2019.
For updates on construction work days and times, go to the project website at www.honolulutransit.org or call 566-2299.
