Friday, June 29, 2012

City Submits Request for $1.55 Billion in Federal Funds, Plus: Another Look at Yesterday’s Post

Of all the rail “milestones,” this one may be the biggest.
The City has submitted its application to the Federal Transit Administration for a Full Funding Grant Agreement to complete work on the 20-mile elevated rail line between East Kapolei and Ala Moana Center. If fully funded, the federal government will provide $1.55 billion for the project.

The Star-Advertiser’s Kevin Dayton has a comprehensive story (subscription required) in today’s paper that covers several significant pieces of news, including the FFGA application.
Michael Levine’s story in Civil Beat may be more accessible. 

The above chart is from Levine's story. Both are recommended reading for the clarity in describing the project and its financing. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s press release also is online.

The estimated completion date for the first phase of the project is now mid-2016. The push-back was caused largely to delays in completing the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

Also, the revised financial plan includes the FTA’s higher collection estimate for the general excise tax surcharge of 0.5 percent on Oahu transactions that is providing the local share of rail’s construction costs.

Look-Back
We called yesterday’s Yes2Rail post perhaps the most important one in this space over the past four years. It focused on the “traffic reduction” issue within the rail discussion that seems to be on the front burner this summer.

You’re encouraged to keep reading, below, if you didn’t see it yesterday.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The application reveals a big item that nullifies Ben's claims that his BRT solution will save money. In the O&M segment, it shows that for FY2017 to FY2030, only 23% of O&M total system wide cost is attributed to rail. The Bus occupies the majority. In fact, in FY2030, over $600 million is needed for total O&M. About $500 million is for The Bus and The Handivan, not rail. And Ben wants to further increase the bus fleet for BRT?

Anonymous said...

Ben has no idea what he's talking about and no real plan, and the people manipulating him will play along if he supports their self-serving schemes to build more godawful freeways or provide special toll road access for the elite who buy the cars they sell or private buses and taxis they operate.

Roy Kamisato said...

Doug,

I have recently seen anti-rail arguments that then Governor Lingle was unable to sigh the EIS because she did not and was not provided an original copy to sign. Is this true?

Doug Carlson said...

Roy, it certainly is not true, and the allegation that the City failed to provide a copy of the FEIS to the Governor is more misinformation from a certain group of rail opponents.