HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is building momentum to extend the rail line beyond Ala Moana to the University of Hawaii and further west, with the next step potentially asking taxpayers for more money.
After doubling ridership by adding five miles to the system, city and state officials are trying to seize on that success to win over lawmakers to pay for more than the $10 billion already committed to the project.
HART approves design funding
The HART board approved giving mainland contractor Tutor Perini $53 million to design a segment from Kakaako to Ala Moana Center, even though that extension is beyond the current federally approved plan.
Tutor Perini is being paid $1.6 billion to build the third rail segment from Kalihi to Kakaako…