Transit Briefs: HART, TTC, Sound Transit
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
The portion of HART's Honolulu Rail Transit Project that runs from East Kapolei Station to the Halawa/Aloha Stadium Station is expected to be completed by early 2023.
A portion of Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s (HART) rail project is on track for completion in early 2023. Also, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) employees raise funds for the United Way of Greater Toronto; and Sound Transit secures $538 million in light rail funding.
HART
According to a Hawaii News Now report, the portion of HART’s long-delayed $500 million rail project that runs from East Kapolei Station to the Halawa/Aloha Stadium Station will welcome its first riders in March or April of next year.
“We’re still on track for that timeline, there have been some communications software issues that arose during the trial running testing phase but Hitachi has brought in specialists to hopefully resolve that problem and keep us on track,” Kahikina said.
Additionally, according to HART, and as reported by Hawaii News Now, Nan Incorporated is working on the relocation of utilities, which involves electrical and sewer lines, storm drains, traffic signals and streetlights, as well as roadway improvements, on the next leg of the project, which starts at Kamehameha Highway and Laumaka Street and ends at Dillingham Boulevard and Kaavi Street.
HART says the contractor started ahead of schedule and (for now) is expected to finish in early 2026.
Additionally, HART announced Dec. 20 that is has secured $63.8 million in new funding for the project. The new federal dollars, which HART expects to receive in early 2023, are in addition to the remaining federal funding from that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has already committed to the project.
“HART is so thankful for the support of Senator Schatz and the Hawaii Congressional Delegation for their work to secure these additional federal dollars, which was no easy task,” said HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina, PE. “These funds will be used to further enable HART to meet its obligations under the Recovery Plan and achieve our construction milestones.”
TTC
TTC announced Dec. 22 that over the past few months its employees have been raised more than $630,000 for United Way of Greater Toronto through various initiatives, including a Halloween event at Bay Lower Station, an Opera House at Hillcrest Complex, and staff event and donations.
The TTC Recreation Council has also hosted several events across divisions and in public-facing locations to collect toys, food and winter-wear to help those in need and community organizations. More than 10,000 toys and 12,000 cans of soup were collected from these events.
The food drive, known as Soup Mountain, had employees creating a 12,000-can pyramid of soup for donation to the Veterans Association Food Bank. Toys were collected through Stuff-the-Bus events across the city, and donated to organizations including SickKids, Abuse Hurts, Community Place Hub, Dovercourt Boys & Girls Club and Progress Place.
The TTC, in collaboration with the Recreation Council, has been collecting money for the United Way for decades. The Recreation Council has been collecting food for the Veterans Association Food Bank for the past three years; coats, warm winter gear and money since 2013; and toys and monetary donations since 2007. Since then, TTC says millions of dollars and thousands of cans, toys and coats have been collected for the community.
“On behalf of the City of Toronto I want to thank the hardworking frontline staff at the TTC for their generosity this holiday season and for what they do year-round keeping our city running,” said Mayor John Tory. “Millions of transit riders rely on you every year, and you go above and beyond serving our city and giving back to our communities.”
“Every year, TTC employees generously organize and contribute to these events, and give back to the communities we serve,” said TTC Chair Jon Burnside. “I want to commend all the volunteers for their efforts, and I know that the funds and items collected will go a long way in spreading holiday cheer across the city.”
“I am once again reminded that our employees are some of the most generous people I know,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “These initiatives were 100% employee-led, and I can’t thank everyone enough for their community spirit and for contributing their time and efforts.”
Sound Transit
Sound Transit on Dec. 21 announced that it has secured more than $583 million as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which funds government programs through Sept. 30, 2023, according to a Yahoo! report.
According to the Yahoo! report, Sound Transit will split the $538 million between two light Link light rail projects: the Federal Way extension, which will receive $329.14 million; and the Lynnwood extension, which will receive $254 million.
The money, Yahoo! reported, which comes from the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants program, “means that the Federal Way extension is fully funded three years ahead of schedule, while the Lynnwood extension is now on a path to be fully funded by fiscal year 2024.”
“Big news, the Sound Transit Federal Way Link Extension is now fully funded, and we are one step closer to getting light rail service into Snohomish County,” said U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). “Sound Transit is in the midst of the largest transit expansion in the country, and with the historic rise in inflation and costs for construction materials, it was critical that the federal government step up to help transit agencies expeditiously fund these types of large projects.”
