Group seeks to block construction on first phase of BRT project

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

A group of transportation business leaders are seeking a federal court order to stop the city from starting construction of the initial segment of its Bus Rapid Transit plan affecting urban Honolulu roads.

The request, filed by the Alliance for Traffic Improvement, argues that the city should not start construction of the "Initial Operating Segment" of the BRT — a 5.6-mile route between Iwilei and Waikiki — because it is connected to the larger BRT project that is still pending review under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Hawai'i Environmental Policy Act.

The motion for a restraining order said the city did not mention the initial segment until after the public comment period on the BRT project expired. It also said the Federal Transit Administration approved the initial line but has not made a final decision on the entire BRT project, so the city should not begin work on any phase of the BRT, including the initial line.

"The IOS is nothing more than a 'foot in the door' committing the city to eventual construction of a full-scale BRT system on O'ahu," the motion said. "Historical experience teaches that transit projects, once begun, are highly unlikely to stop midway.

"Defendants have manipulated the environmental review process with the effect of curtailing public review of the IOS."

City spokeswoman Carol Costa said city officials have not yet read the request, but Mayor Jeremy Harris said: "For 35 years, a small group of naysayers has stopped every effort the city has undertaken to reduce traffic congestion on this island. It's time we move forward with the first phase of these express electric buses."

The Alliance for Traffic Improvement includes more than 100 individuals and businesses including Hawaii Transportation Association president Lawson Teshima, Charley's Taxi president Dale Evans, and Cliff Slater, a frequent critic of the city's bus spending plans.

Among the plans for the initial line, according to the final environmental impact statement, is widening parts of Ala Moana Boulevard from the Ala Wai Canal to Kalia Road to create two new semiexclusive bus lanes. Extra space will also be created by narrowing the existing median and existing traffic lanes. The initial line is scheduled to be operational by 2005.

Teshima and other members of the alliance said the initial line will only make traffic congestion worse.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.