$20M for city bus plan may lapse if panel waits

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

Federal money for the first leg of Honolulu's Bus Rapid Transit program could be put in jeopardy by the inaction of a transportation oversight panel, city officials warned yesterday.

The O'ahu Metropolitan Planning Organization yesterday deferred a vote on a request to include the $20 million federal share of the project in a list of approved transportation programs for Hawai'i, a necessary step before receiving the money.

The move by Sen. Cal Kawamoto, head of OMPO's Policy Committee, puzzled some members, who had been told a delay of even a few weeks could cause the federal government to back away from the project.

"I don't care," Kawamoto said hotly. "I'm going to get answers before we have a vote."

Kawamoto was reacting to testimony in Congress last month that the Federal Transit Administration, which approves money for local transportation projects, would like to end a provision that exempts new projects under $25 million from stringent reviews.

"We have learned from experience that this exemption encourages project sponsors to artificially define projects into smaller segments in order to avoid being subject to FTA assessment," said Jennifer Dorn, FTA administrator.

City Transportation Services Director Cheryl Soon said the move would not apply to the first leg of the BRT running from Downtown Honolulu to Waikiki, because it has undergone the more stringent review as part of the city's overall $800 million Kapolei to Waikiki BRT plan.

Kawamoto insisted over the objection of some panel members that OMPO officials seek a clarification from federal transit officials before he'd allow a vote.

City officials warned that any delay could cause the $20 million set aside for the project to lapse by the end of the September.

"We are in a very dangerous position," said DTS Chief Planner Toru Hamayasu.

The money, Hamayasu said, would be used to widen parts of Ala Moana Boulevard and Kalia Road, build eight bus stations and give signal prioritization technology to the bus drivers.

Kawamoto refused to relent and ordered the meeting continued until federal officials sent a written opinion on the matter.

Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com