The Honolulu City Council today took its first official step toward changing the route of Honolulu's rail project to include the Honolulu International Airport.

The council advanced a measure 7-1 to divert the current route away from suburban Salt Lake to the industrial airport district.

The change increases the project's cost by about $220 million to $4.5 billion.

Council member Romy Cachola, who represents Salt Lake, opposed the measure. Council member Barbara Marshall did not attend this morning's meeting.