Federal Judge A. Wallace Tashima has ruled that construction may resume for all but the final section of the $5.26 billion Honolulu Rail Project. The city is required to conduct studies on the impact on Mother Waldron Park in Kakaako, the feasibility of creating an alternative route involving a tunnel under Beretania Street to protect historic Chinatown, and to conduct a survey of traditional and cultural sites along the 20-mile route. However, since the majority of these items involve the last stretch of rail to be built in downtown Honolulu, Judge Tashima stated that construction may begin in other areas. Anti-rail groups had hoped that Judge Tashima would require that construction along the entire route would be halted until all issues were resolved. These same groups have stated that they may appeal Judge Tashima’s decision.
Executive Director for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, Dan Grabauskas, stated, “This is the news we had hoped for. The judge’s ruling allows us to complete the remaining work requested by the court, while keeping the project on schedule. These additional studies will be completed next year, well in advance of when construction was scheduled to begin in the City Center area (fourth phase). Oahu residents can look forward to seeing their rail system fully operational in 2019 as planned.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-28-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
