The Federal Transit Administration has approved the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s recovery plan, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced today.

“I’m exceptionally proud today,” Blangiardi said of the HART team, calling the revamping of the rail project an “unprecedented challenge” for HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina.

Blangiardi announced the FTA approval at a press conference alongside Kahikina, HART Deputy Director and COO Rick Keene, and HART Board Chair Colleen Hanabusa.

The recovery plan calls for a shorter rail route than originally proposed, with the 18.75-mile track terminating at the Civic Center Station in Kakaako instead of Ala Moana Center. Trimming the route lowers the project’s cost from $11.3 billion to $9.93 billion.

The updated plan also cuts 1,600 parking spaces for rail users at Pearl Highlands.

HART submitted the recovery plan in June.

——

This livestream video has ended. Watch a replay at the top of the page.