HART Grants Contract for Honolulu Rail City Center Guideway

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has officially given the go-ahead for the construction of the next segment of the Skyline rail project in Honolulu. On Monday, city contractor ‘Tutor Perini Corporation’ was approved to commence work on the City Center Guideway, a pivotal segment of the rail system.

The City Center Guideway will feature six rail stations and approximately three miles of elevated rail guideway, extending from Downtown Honolulu into Kakaako. Notably, this segment begins just east of the Middle Street Transit Center Station and concludes at the Civic Center Station, situated near the intersection of Halekauwila Street and South Street.

According to a press release from Tutor Perini, a $1.66 billion contract has been executed, and a Notice to Proceed has been issued, allowing design work to commence immediately. Construction is scheduled to start in late 2025, with the project expecting substantial completion by 2030 and final transfer to the Department of Transportation Services by 2031.

Lori Kahikina, executive director and CEO of HART, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Tutor Perini, emphasizing the significance of this segment as the largest public infrastructure project in Hawaii’s history. “We are excited to partner with Tutor Perini to design and build the next segment of the Honolulu rail transit project,” she stated.

In parallel developments, the advancement of a high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston in Texas has also made progress. The project received a $63.9 million federal grant in August, which proponents believe will significantly enhance high-speed rail infrastructure in the United States. Andy Byford, Amtrak’s senior vice president, highlighted the potential of the route, although local landowners have voiced opposition.

These projects underscore a growing trend to improve and expand rail infrastructure across the nation, with significant implications for urban transit and environmental impact.