This week, O'ahu voters will decide on whether to move forward with a proposed rail transit system, a project I wholeheartedly support. Rail transit can improve the quality of life for residents across O'ahu by reducing traffic congestion, preserving our natural environment, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and bringing jobs and economic vitality to our communities.

This project speaks to the unique island spirit of kokua — our responsibility to provide for the well-being of our entire community.

But we must also understand that there is no free ride. These benefits come with costs and impacts that are identified, analyzed and compared in the draft environmental impact statement being released to the public this weekend. Completion of the draft EIS is an important milestone in both the project's progress and as part of an ongoing process intended to solicit and address concerns.

On the issue of cost — in current dollars, it will take about $3.9 billion to build a 20-mile system that runs from East Kapolei to Ala Moana Center, with 19 stations along the route. This is an increase from the initial estimate, but these costs are reasonable when one considers adjustments for inflation, and the fact that preliminary project plans have been refined and are much more detailed.

In an abundance of prudence, the project budget includes nearly $1 billion as a contingency to absorb just such cost increases. They were anticipated and accounted for in the budget.

The federal government has reviewed the financial plan and deemed it sound. Independent, respected organizations and individuals in our community also endorse the project and generally agree with financial projections, including the Hawai'i Business Roundtable and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i.

It is regrettable that approximately 35 residences and businesses will face relocation, and will have to give way for the project. The project budget includes ample resources to provide fair economic compensation to impacted landowners. The project will assist in relocating residents; no one will be left without a home.

All of this must be balanced with the benefits of a rail transit system that is reliable, energy efficient and will shrink traffic congestion by at least 21 percent as it matures. About 34,000 cars will be taken off our congested roads and highways daily, and nearly 90,000 passenger trips will be made on the train each weekday.

More importantly, people who ride the train will know each and every time how long it will take to get to work, school or home, and the time savings will be tremendous. That means more time for family, for recreation, for worship — a myriad of pursuits more worthwhile than sitting in traffic.

Building this system will create 11,000 new jobs and foster a healthy economy, for construction workers, shopkeepers, restaurant owners and more. It will bring federal dollars into our state at a time when one of the mainstays of Hawai'i's economy, the visitor industry, suffers in the global economic slowdown. And, like other cities nationwide, a rail system will foster smart growth, transit-oriented development, which enables us to create livable communities shaped by the people who live there.

Concerns have been expressed about how the economic downturn will affect federal funding.

Make no mistake — there will be federal funding. Your Hawai'i congressional delegation is fully committed to bringing the full force of our collective legislative powers to make this project a reality.

We do not want to repeat what happened in 1992, when Honolulu walked away from nearly $618 million in secured federal funds. Had we possessed the needed political will then, we would be enjoying a full-fledged rail transit system today, one that would probably be serving the entire island.

While it is important to learn from past mistakes, my hope is that this is an action we collectively take for the future — for the generations of children to come who deserve an island home where they can live, work and raise their families free from the grind of constant traffic gridlock.

We are an island community with a generosity of spirit that enables us to put aside our differences to help one another. It is time for us to reach out to families on O'ahu's west side. For too long, they have borne the burdens that allow residents of Windward and East O'ahu to live in the relative luxury of open space. They deserve consideration and relief.

Moving forward with rail transit isn't just about transportation. It's about having the will and the strength today, to make the right choices for tomorrow.

Daniel K. Inouye is Hawai'i's senior U.S. senator. He wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.