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The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has accepted the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s transit-rail project for final design, which is the last phase of the project’s development before the agency can execute a Full Funding Grant Agreement with the FTA, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle announced.

City officials anticipate receiving $1.55 billion through the grant agreement, said Carlisle in a prepared statement.

“We remain on track to complete that process next fall,” he said.

The announcement is a “significant milestone” toward providing Oahu residents and visitors with “more affordable efficient and environmentally responsible transportation options,” said U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), who serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “This project has ongoing support from the [Obama] administration and members of Congress in both parties.”

The $5.5 billion Honolulu Rail Transit project involves a 20-mile, 21-station elevated rail system that will connect East Kapolei with Ala Moana Center.