The City Council today gave final approval to a measure authorizing the city administration to sign an agreement to accept $1.55 billion in federal funding to help finance the city’s rail project.

Council members passed the resolution by an 8-1 vote, with Councilman Tom Berg the lone vote in opposition.

Outgoing Mayor Peter Carlisle made a rare appearance before the Council to express his thanks for the support.

“We could not have come anywhere near this bar and move forward this vision of the City and County of Honolulu without many of you who have been supporting it form the very beginning,” Carlisle said.

The overall price tag for the planned rail line from East Kapolei to Ala Moana is $5.26 billion.

Officials with the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation expect to sign the grant agreement sometime after Dec. 19.