Dan Grabauskas, the Chief Executive Officer for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, stated that he has learned that the current budget for the rail project does not provide for platform screen gates that would prevent passengers from falling onto the tracks or a backup power-failure system that would allow the trains to arrive at the nearest station in the event of an outage. Grabauskas, who took over HART a year ago, stated that he was surprised to learn that these items were not included in the budget before he joined. Grabauskas stated, “It was discussed but not budgeted for. For whatever reason” the features weren’t included. There’s no argument in my book against safety.”
While the exact costs for these safety oversights will not be known until bids are submitted and approved, it is estimated that the costs would run in the millions of dollars. The rail project does have a contingency fund of $644 million. It is unclear if the money to address these safety concerns would come from this contingency fund or another source.
It was also announced by the Federal Transit Authority that the city of Honolulu will receive only $236.2 million in federal funding this year due to sequestration budget cuts as opposed to the $250 million initially promised. Grabauskas commented, “Cuts are never good news, but the 5.6 percent reduction is one we can absolutely live with in terms of cash flow this year.” United States Senator, Brian Schatz, added, “I have been reassured by the FTA that while the project is facing cuts now, they will fulfill their promise of federal funding over the course of time.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-12-2013, 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
