The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) broke ground on the next installment of the Skyline rail system at a ceremony Aug. 11.

The blessing ceremony was led by Kahu Kordell Kekoa at the future site of the Ka‘ākaukukui (Civic Center) Station on Halekauwila Street in Kaka‘ako between South Street and Keawe Street.

“Today marks a major milestone in our journey toward a better connected and accessible O‘ahu,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi in a statement. “Breaking ground on the third segment of Skyline is not just about building the infrastructure to bring the rail system into the downtown area, it’s about laying the foundation for the future of this island and developing sustainable transportation alternatives to serve neighboring communities.”

Segment 3, the City Center Guideway and Stations (CCGS) project, will include six stations within three miles of elevated guideway connecting the Middle Street Transit Center to the future Civic Center.

The CCGS design-build contract was awarded to Tutor Perini Corp. in August 2024 for approximately $1.66 billion.

“Mahalo to all of our partners and HART staff who have worked so hard to make this project possible,” said HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina in a press release. “We’ve got to this point through cooperation and perseverance, and we will use that same approach to overcome the challenges that lay ahead to deliver this project within budget and on schedule.”

Geotechnical boring is in progress and shaft construction will begin in Iwilei. The project is expected to be completed in 2030, followed by a transfer to Honolulu Department of Transportation Services in 2031.