The city’s $5.3 billion rail project, its largest-ever investment in public works, has passed a critical juncture this week, with federal authorities flashing a green light for preliminary engineering work to begin.

Now the ball is in the City Council’s hands, and its members must not fumble.
The importance of this Federal Transit Administration approval must not be underestimated. Permission of the FTA to proceed with preliminary engineering means that the Honolulu project has risen to the top of the stack of “new starts” proposals vying for federal dollars. That signifies a consensus among key FTA officials that the project meets the high bar set by federal regulations for its initial planning and financial blueprint.
On the most practical level, it clears the way for the expenditure of $39 million in engineering — no small matter during these recessionary times. And it maintains the project’s place in line for $1.5 billion in federal construction dollars.
Scanning similar reports on other FTA projects in recent years reveals that this is a milestone celebrated as a sign that the odds of final approval are excellent. It means a project meets criteria for cost effectiveness, support of land use plans and the local financial commitment, among others.
That’s great news for Hawaii. And it’s an opportunity that must not be wasted. Honolulu can’t afford to repeat past history by causing needless delays.
The City Council plans a public briefing at the next juncture: release of the city’s final environmental impact statement. Chairman Todd Apo said this is to make sure the council is grounded on the project before issuing the bonds to finance early construction. That’s fine, but elected officials must keep the discussion focused there.
Some critics have faulted the EIS for lacking information on some impacts or alternatives that could be considered, despite the strong case the city has built for its present course for an elevated rail system.
Endlessly revisiting past decisions on technology puts critical federal funding at risk. Political bickering, ignoring the analysis already performed, wastes time and money. The council has a fiduciary duty to taxpayers to avoid needless delays.
The FTA approval demonstrates that the professionals have faith in the plans to this point. Now the council must echo that faith by seeing that the project proceeds, on time and on budget.