President Obama Requests $250 Million for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project in Fiscal Year 2013

Press Release

The Obama Administration has requested $250 million for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project for fiscal year 2013, the largest amount for any rail project in the country, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa announced today.

The money would come from the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts program.

Of the five programs currently awaiting a full funding grant agreement with the FTA, the President requested $100 million more for Honolulu than any other project:

High Capacity Transit Corridor Project (Honolulu, HI): $250M
Third Street Light Rail (San Francisco, CA): $150M
Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project (San Jose, CA): $150M
Portland-Milwaukee Light Rail Project (Portland, OR): $100M
South Sacramento Corridor (Sacramento, CA): $46M

"I am very pleased that the Honolulu Rail Transit Project is the administration's top New Starts funding request for the coming fiscal year. Like any large, publicly funded project, there are bound to be questions and concerns about how best to proceed. But the facts remain that the successful construction and timely completion of this project will create jobs, decrease our dependence on imported oil, and offer a long awaited alternative to driving for thousands of working families on the West side of Oahu. I have participated in rail transit discussions in Hawaii and Washington for the last forty years and I can say, without reservation, that the support we currently enjoy from the government of the United States is unprecedented. To ignore this support would be a big mistake. I will continue to do everything I can to direct federal funds to the project and marshal support in the Congress. But we must work together, at all levels of government and throughout the community, to ensure that we do not waste our best opportunity to revolutionize the way we move about Oahu," said Senator Inouye.

"The Obama Administration is again demonstrating its commitment to supporting Honolulu's rail project," said Senator Akaka. "This budget proposal keeps Hawaii on-track towards creating a convenient, affordable choice in getting around the island that will help local families avoid trips to the pump and reduce pollution in the air we breathe."

"President Obama's budget has once again demonstrated the strong federal commitment to this job-creating project. The President recognizes that these types of investments in our nation's infrastructure directly strengthen our economy while also providing long-term benefits by increasing access to clean, affordable transportation options to meet Oahu's growing needs," said Congresswoman Hirono, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

"I would like to say mahalo to the Obama Administration for their continued commitment to the Honolulu Rail Transit Project," said Congresswoman Hanabusa. "This important transportation project will alleviate congestion on our roadways, create local jobs, and help reduce pollution. I will continue to work with the Hawaii Delegation to ensure our rail project receives its share of federal funding, and is completed in a responsible and timely manner."

For more information please visit:

http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/FTA_Pages_from_dot_budget_highlights_fy_2013.pdf

http://www.honolulutransit.org/