News from the Honolulu Rail Transit Project

HART WEEKLY eNEWS

February 9, 2018

NEW SUPPORT COLUMNS MARK A MILESTONE FOR RAIL PROJECT

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation is celebrating a milestone with the construction of the first set of columns for the Rail Transit Project's Airport Guideway and Stations (AGS) section. The 5.15-mile AGS runs from Aloha Stadium, through the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, and on to Middle Street.

The first AGS support column was set in place recently after HART and contractor Shimmick/Traylor/Granite Joint Venture spent the past few weeks drilling foundation wells. When complete, the columns will range from 24 to 71 feet high and have foundations that will be as much as 300 feet deep.

The Airport section is the third of four guideway segments in the Project with the first two, the Farrington and Kamehameha Guideways, both about 99-percent complete. Crews on the Airport Guideway are making great progress as well to the point that they are even slightly ahead of schedule.

HART TO HOST A PAIR OF

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY MEETINGS

Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 15. HART and contractor Shimmick/Traylor/Granite Joint Venture will host a pair of meetings regarding the planned Lagoon Drive Rail Station, near the intersection of Lagoon Drive and Ualena Street in the Airport area. During the first meeting, staff members will provide construction updates while the second session will give residents a chance to provide feedback into the Lagoon Drive station designs and the various cultural programs connected with the Rail Transit Project.

Sessions are set for 1:30pm & 2:00pm at the Hawaii Employer's Council (2682 Waiwai Loop) and the public is welcome!

HART CEO ANDREW ROBBINS ADDRESSES THE

KAKA'AKO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

HART's Executive Director Andrew Robbins was an honored guest at a recent General Membership Meeting of the Kaka'ako Improvement Association. Robbins shared updates and information on the Honolulu Rail Transit Project and in particular, the project's Civic Center Station (on Halekauwila Street between South & Keawe Streets), the Kaka'ako

Station (near Halekauwila & Ward), and the Ala Moana Center Station. All three stations are situated in the Kaka'ako area.

Robbins talked about important HART initiatives happening in Kaka'ako prior to active guideway and station construction. Among those is the relocation of both overhead and underground utilities, including electrical

communication, drainage, sewer, water, and gas lines, to clear space for the elevated guideway. Robbins told the group the work will require roadway modifications to allow for safe and expedited construction and to accommodate the guideway once completed. He also highlighted that all affected roadways will be fully restored and in many cases, surface streets will actually be upgraded from their current condition and configurations.

The Kaka'ako Improvement Association is made up of area business and property owners who collectively seek to "inform, support, and legislate on behalf of Association members."

OKINAWAN

DIGNITARIES TOUR

HART'S RAIL OPERATIONS CENTER

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation was proud to host a delegation from Japan recently, for a tour of its Rail Operations Center in Waipahu.

Noboru Kakazu

Deputy Director General in Charge of Planning Promotion

Koichi Tamamoto

Section Chief, Transportation Policy Division

Kurato Taira

Supervisory Technician, Transportation Policy Division

Kayomi Kaneda

Interpreter

lso taking part in the tour were members of the Planning Division of Japan Airport Consultants including General Manager Kei Shimizu and Senior Consultant Eiji Noda. Japan Airport Consultants is a construction consulting service company providing "solutions to complex social, economic, industrial, and engineering issues in the multifaceted airline/travel industry."

OFFICE SAFETY REMINDERS

On a construction site with heavy equipment and moving machinery, workplace safety is, of course, a major concern. In the controlled setting of an office however, it might not be a top-of-mind issue. That is until you consider the surprising number of hazards present in an office setting.

Here are some National Safety Council tips to increase office safety:

Stay clutter free.

Keep the area around your work space free of boxes, files and other items that can create a tripping hazard.

Step on up.

Standing on chairs - particularly rolling office chairs - is a significant fall hazard. Use a stable stepladder when reaching for items at an elevated height.

Get a grip.

Carpeting and other skid-resistant surfaces can help reduce falls. Marble or tile floors can become very slippery - particularly when wet.

Shut all drawers

File cabinets with drawers extended could tip over if not secured. Also, desk drawers or file cabinets left open could pose a tripping hazard.

Safe stacking.

Proper storage of heavy office items can help reduce injuries. Large stacks of materials (like cases of paper) and heavy equipment can cause injuries if knocked over. Try storing heavy objects closer to the floor.

Keep your feet on the floor

It may sound simple but, raising an office chair to access a keyboard or desktop can leave your feet barely touching the floor. This prevents ergonomic chairs from reducing pain and discomfort. The NSC recommends the use of adjustable keyboard trays, rolling tables adjusted to the proper height, or using footrests.

Remember, it's not safety first, it's safety always!