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RAIL PROJECT YIELDS ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
As part of its continuing public outreach effort, HART
and representatives from contractor Nan, Inc.,
this week
held a
nother
"Business & Community Meeting" to update business  owners and residents
in the City Center section of the project
on the current utility relocation work underway
in their communities.
There are nearly 24 miles of
water, sewer, communication, and power lines
along the 4.12 miles of the Project from Middle Street to Ala Moana Center - that's 4-times more than the rest of the project combined!
Which leads to one of the more frequently asked questions about the Project, "When you
have to move old utilities, is HART just moving them, or is HART replacing t
he old lines?"  The answer is that HART is putting in new infrastructure, new lines, new pipes, etc. whenever it relocates utilities.
A significant amount of the utility lines HART moves is decades old. In HART's utility relocation process, those lines are
discarded and
new pipes and conduit
are installed
to bring them up to 2019 standards. So yes, there may be some disruption while addressing those lines, but in the end, businesses and residents will
benefit from the new
infrastructure
-
even
before
guideway construction begins.
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HART's Proposed Traffic Roundabout at Queen & Waimanu Streets
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HART & Na
n, Inc.
also shared information regarding traffic
changes planned
for the area. For example, heading  towards the Ala Moana Center, in the area where Queen Street curves into Waimanu Street, there's an intersection between Kolowalu Park and the Ward Village. Currently, heavy traffic often causes a backup at that intersection.
HART and Nan, Inc. will be replacing the bottleneck with a
traffic calming
roundabout. The Rail Project's guideway will pass overhead, up and away from traffic, while drivers will enjoy the free-flowing lanes below.
These are just some of the
infrastructure benefits
HART will be bringing to the Kaka'ako area, as the Project proceeds through the City Center. Judging from the positive responses at
Wednesday night's meeting
, Kaka'ako business owners, residents, and area commuters are looking forward to these additional benefits of the Honolulu Rail Transit Project.
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HART HELPS RING IN THE "YEAR OF THE BOAR"
The HART Public Involvement team was pleased to be part of the recent
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii's (JCCH) "New Year's Ohana Festival." held both at the JCCH and the adjacent Mo'ili'ili Field.
 
Thousands turned out in the event's 26th year to celebrate the "Year of the Boar." According to organizers, the festival is the "largest festival celebrating Japanese New Year's
 traditions" in Hawaii. In addition to a large craft fair, attendees enjoyed food vendors, games, entertainment, and cultural displays.
They were also treated to the HART display table, featuring a mini-construction area for keiki interested in building a model train while also learning about the Honolulu Rail Transit Project. Adults were able to review HART's Train Resource Guide filled with information on the Project and a display detailing how rail will play a key role in helping our State to reach its sustainable energy goals by 2045.
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READ THE LATEST PROGRESS REPORT ON THE HONOLULU RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT
Each month, the HART Board of Directors receives a comprehensive report on the current status of the rail project. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation believes it is essential to be transparent and keep the public up-to-date on the project. Therefore, each monthly report is posted for public review.
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According to Federal Highway Administration stats, over the last five years, 200,000 people were injured in accidents that occurred either in or near construction zones. With various
 construction work happening all across the 20 miles of the Honolulu Rail Transit Project, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation would like to share these safety tips*** for Oahu commuters:
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WEEKLY LANE CLOSURE INFORMATION
Locator maps for major lane closures can be viewed on our website:
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SHOP & DINE ON THE LINE
Discounts and special offers supporting local businesses:
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