The Committee approved the fiscal year 2007 Transportation-Treasury-HUD-Judiciary-DC Appropriations bill, which includes $250,000 for Honolulu transit.

Abercrombie had requested Appropriations Committee support for the transit project.

“The transit appropriation is a major breakthrough,” said Abercrombie. “It’s the first installment on the Federal cost share for this badly needed project.  Of the more than 300 transit new starts authorized by Congress in last year’s transportation authorization bill, Honolulu is one of only 10 new starts to receive first-time funding approval in this appropriations bill.  That distinction is an endorsement by the Congress of our case for transit and the soundness of our approach.  This down payment means more Federal funding will be forthcoming as the project progresses.

“Traffic on Oahu is adversely affecting our economy and quality of life.  We need relief, and that means mass transit.  The Legislature and the City & County are on board.  Now, Congress is signaling its commitment on the Federal dollars to help us achieve a solution.”

In addition to the Honolulu transit funding, the bill also includes $500,000 for repairs on Kapiolani Boulevard, $400,000 for road improvements on Maui, and $15 million for ferry systems in Alaska and Hawaii (past ferry funding has been split evenly between the two states).

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