HART awards $1.66B contract for Honolulu's Skyline rail extension

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) last week announced the award of a $1.66 billion contract to Tutor Perini Corp. for the design and construction of the third segment of Honolulu’s Skyline light-rail system.

Known as the City Center Guideway and Stations, the expansion will feature six rail stations and about 3 miles of elevated rail, connecting the Middle Street Transit Center Station and the future Civic Center Station, to be located east of the intersection of Halekauwila Street and South Street.

The contract is expected to be executed in September, with design beginning shortly thereafter, HART officials said in a press release. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2025 and be completed in 2030.

The award of the contract "sets the course for completing the project through downtown Honolulu," said HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina.

The award of $250 million in federal funding for the project is expected to be granted to HART under an amended full funding grant agreement with the Federal Transit Administration.

Skyline service began in June 2023 along 11 miles between the East Kapolei and Aloha Stadium stations. The second segment, between Aloha Stadium and Middle Street Transit Center, is being installed and is estimated to begin operations in late 2025.