Honolulu Rail Builders File $324 Million Lawsuit Against HART

Honolulu rail builders have filed a $324 million lawsuit against HART, alleging project delays, mismanagement, and unjust enrichment. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Honolulu Rail Builders Allege Costly Delays in Skyline Project

Builders working on the $10 billion Skyline rail project have sued HART and the City of Honolulu. They are seeking $324 million for alleged mismanagement, delays, and cost overruns.

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Hitachi Rail Honolulu Joint Venture, a key contractor, filed the lawsuit on December 20. The suit claims that project mismanagement caused delays and increased costs, significantly impacting the project’s schedule and budget.

HART hired Hitachi in 2011 to install and maintain the operating system for the driverless trains. The lawsuit alleges HART failed to coordinate contractors effectively, leading to severe delays. Instead of using a single design-build contractor, HART awarded smaller contracts, complicating project execution.

This lawsuit is not the first involving the Skyline project. In 2023, another contractor group sued HART over unresolved utility relocation issues, resulting in a $60 million settlement.

Originally set to open in 2020, the 19-mile rail system is now expected to be completed by 2030. The elevated guideway will include 19 stations, connecting East Kapolei to Kakaako.

Honolulu Rail Builders Criticize HART’s Management and Coordination

The lawsuit further claims that delays forced Hitachi to absorb cost overruns, as critical components like the elevated guideway were not completed on time. The JV accuses Honolulu officials of stalling good-faith resolution efforts to avoid further public backlash.

Neither Honolulu officials nor HART provided a comment on the lawsuit. A HART representative stated that the agency could not discuss active legal claims.

Despite the controversies, the Skyline project is a significant urban infrastructure initiative, intended to improve transit and connect key areas of Honolulu. However, repeated delays and legal disputes highlight the challenges of large-scale projects like this.

Source: www.constructiondive.com

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