Federal Funds Extended for Honolulu Rail

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today that he received a letter from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) confirming that the funding deadline for a $250 million federal grant for the Honolulu rail transit project has been extended. 

The funds were scheduled to lapse on December 31, 2020 but the period of availability for the funds has now been extended by one year, to December 31, 2021. 

Hawaii’s Congressional delegation, led by Senator Brian Schatz, played a key role in the extension of the funds by including a provision for the extension in the COVID-19 relief package that was signed by President Trump on Sunday. 

“This is a huge accomplishment as we approach the end of the year,” said Mayor Caldwell.  “I am appreciative to Senator Schatz, to the other members of our Congressional delegation, and to the FTA for working so hard to get these funds extended.”  He added, “This will provide more time for the new City Administration and the new leadership at HART to work together on a plan for the completion of the last 4.16 miles of the rail project.”