HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has called for a scaled down version of the city’s multi-billion rail project, saying the city must stay inside “revenue boundaries.” ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has called for a
HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has called for a scaled down version of the city’s multi-billion rail project, saying the city must stay inside “revenue boundaries.”
Caldwell’s proposal presented Thursday comes after he previously said shortening the 20-mile route could threaten jobs, affordable housing and ridership. The mayor is now recommending the project be built only to Middle Street, or about 5 miles shorter.
Caldwell told the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board he wants to see the rail eventually go all the way to Ala Moana Center, but as of right now, the city can’t afford it.
“I want to emphasize that I am totally committed to going further. But let’s focus on what we can do with the money we have. Let’s do a good job for the first 15 miles,” he said.
The city can only cover about $6.8 billion of the project’s estimated $8 billion cost. The Federal Transit Administration has asked the board to submit a report by Aug. 7 detailing alternative ways to finish the project on budget.
Councilwoman Kymberly Marcos Pine suggested the city could eliminate other stops on the route, instead of cutting the rail short.
“We are making a decision without knowing how ridership will be affected,” she said at the City Council’s meeting on the rail project Thursday. “If we eliminate the rest of the line from Middle Street to Ala Moana, will that completely make no one ride the system and could we financially be at a huge loss bigger than we are now?”
Caldwell previously voiced similar concerns and said shortening the project would lead to fewer riders, ultimately costing taxpayers more money in the long run.
