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The Honolulu Authority of Rapid Transportation (HART) has received $67.5 million in federal funding for the Honolulu Rail Transit project as part of a $1.55 billion grant agreement between HART and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The $67.5 million is part of $255 million in federal dollars available for the project this fiscal year. To date, the project has $320 million in available funds under the six-year grant agreement that was signed in December 2012, HART officials said in a prepared statement.

The funds announced yesterday will reimburse the agency for design, engineering and other costs related to building the 20-mile elevated rail system.

"This latest installment of funds further illustrates that the project is on strong footing with the FTA and allows us to keep the project on track," said HART Chairwoman Carrie Okinaga. "We will continue to work with the FTA in moving the project forward."

The system will feature 21 stations at key education, employment and retail locations. The first 10 miles from Kapolei to Aloha Stadium is expected to open in 2017, with the full 20-mile line opening in 2019.