While we can rehash (again) the tired plan to stop the rail at Middle Street, the facts remain: A change of that magnitude will immediately nullify the environmental impact statement, technical studies, ridership estimates and the financing plans.

We will have to go back to square one and start from scratch with public meetings, stakeholder consultation, all new technical studies, an entirely new EIS, all culminating in another lawsuit, no doubt.

Aside from the multimillion-dollar cost of this new analysis and breach-of-contract lawsuits, the project will be delayed by a minimum of two to three years with no guarantee that the EIS process will find the Middle Street revisions to be the best alternative.

Let’s get the project back on track with strong oversight, due diligence with all aspects of the construction phase, and solid financing. We owe it to ourselves and our future generations.

Jeff Merz

Waikiki

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