RAIL: Officials award $875 million contract for Honolulu rail project

Honolulu rail officials awarded an $874.8 million bid Tuesday to build the section of rail from Aloha Stadium to Middle Street.

The announcement makes it clear how far rail can go with the budget City Council capped at $6.8 billion.

Three construction companies working together were chosen to build the 5.2 miles of elevated guideway and four stations that will take rail from Aloha Stadium through the airport to the Middle Street juncture. The contract will go to a joint effort by Shimmick, Traylor and Granite.

The project proposal includes construction of the Pearl Harbor Naval Base transit station, two stations near and at the Honolulu International Airport and the Middle Street station. Groundbreaking should take place in six months to begin the rail project.

Rail officials have previously estimated construction to Middle Street should be completed around 2020.