Politicians in Washington D.C. are getting behind Honolulu's plans for a $3.7 billion light rail system, calling it the "most efficient light rail project in the country".
"U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar's Washington office confirmed that the Minnesota Democrat has told Honolulu that its plan for $900 million in federal money to build a light rail connection 'stands well ahead' of other plans before his committee including the Washington connection to Dulles International Airport."
"The Hawaii plan has also had major backing in the U.S. Senate where Hawaii's senior senator, Daniel Inouye, is chairman of the Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation. He helped secure $15.2 million in federal funding last year for engineering on the project."
"Honolulu papers quote Oberstar as saying the Honolulu project 'just has to happen,' after flying over the planned right-of-way that he said was too narrow to 'squeeze more lanes in the roadway.' Oberstar said Honolulu authorities 'have got less than one mile of space between the mountains on one hand and the ocean on the other' and a rail system is necessary."
"Oberstar said the Honolulu mass transit system's plan, a $3.7 billion project to build a rail line from Kapolei to Leeward Community College, is the most efficient light rail project in the country."
Read the full story: Hawaii Rail Trumps Dulles
Skyline Rail, Now Serving Honolulu
In a historic day for public transit, Skyline Rail, a project once deemed the worst transit project in the United States due to extreme cost overruns and construction delays, finally opened to the public at the end of June.
Honolulu Light Rail to Open in June
The city’s first light rail line will finally begin service after more than a half century of planning.
Hawaii Light Rail to Connect With Airport
The Honolulu City Council has agreed to slightly re-work the route of the region's recently-approved light rail system to connect with Honolulu International Airport -- a move that has angered some residents.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment
The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.
Mass. votes against statewide minimum lot size for single-family homes
Over 2 million residents voted on Question 7; it was decided by just over 30,000 votes.
Maryland’s $15 billion bridge project gains key approval
The Maryland Transit Authority said the project will create over 60,000 jobs and add $23 billion to the local economy.
‘No clear next steps’ for Chicago's permanent festival grounds
Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has suggested Soldier Field as a possible location for the permanent event space.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority