$20M penciled in for transit | The Honolulu Advertiser

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$20M penciled in for transit | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper

Posted on: Friday, July 13, 2007

$20M penciled in for transit

Advertiser Staff Writer

A Senate panel yesterday set aside $20 million for Honolulu's planned mass transit project, and $56 million for 19 other transportation and housing projects throughout the state.

The money was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. If approved by the full Senate and released, the transit money will help pay for preliminary engineering phases of the $5 billion plan to link Kapolei and Honolulu.

"This is a clear statement that the federal government is committed to help solve one of the worst traffic congestion problems in the country," said Rep. Neil Abercrombie.

In a related matter, Mayor Mufi Hannemann will hold a public conference on transit-oriented development tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the Leeward Community College Theatre.

The city has invited experts to discuss how transit affected development in other cities, and what Honolulu should pay close attention to.

Among the other projects included in yesterday's Senate appropriation are:

$32 million in transit funds to support and maintain the city's bus system.

$9 million in Native Hawaiian housing grants.

$5 million to complete H-1 freeway improvements.

$2 million to help Maui, Hawai'i and Kaua'i counties purchase buses to expand routes and increase bus service.

$1.5 million in community development funds for organizations serving Native Hawaiians.

$1.6 million to continue the federal Alien Species Action Plan and help prevent the introduction of alien species by aircraft that fly to Hawai'i.

$1.5 million for park maintenance, security and access.

$1 million for a Native Hawaiian housing loan guarantee program.

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