TTCI: HART report on frogs delivered ‘on schedule,’ but agency says final version still not ready

Major utility work is ready to take place on HART’s light rail project.

HART

Confusion continues to reign in regards to Hawaii’s first light-rail line in Honolulu.

TTCI was on site recently to determine the cause of the line’s wheel and track problems, and when asked about the status of the report last week, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) said it had not been received. Furthermore, the agency was not expecting it until November. TTCI, however, is now saying it did deliver the report “on schedule and without compromising quality.”

On Oct. 14, HART Interim Executive Director Lori Kahikina said TTCI did indeed submit a draft of the report in September, but the final version that addresses questions by HART and the city is due later.

The problem involving the trains’ wheels and track frogs surfaced last year when there was significant wear and tear on the track at the crossings. HART is hoping the fix to the problem requires the replacement of the train wheels, which would be far less expensive than pulling out the frogs. Frog replacement also would delay the start of interim service to Aloha Stadium by two years.

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