From stalled utility work in the Dillingham corridor to a failed P3 deal, rail suffered one setback after another.

The FTA considers rail the most “challenged and troubled project that they’re dealing with,” according to the HART board’s vice chairman.

Project leaders will likely struggle to secure more funding amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It remains unclear how the move would impact the transit project’s federal funding.

Generally, the Honolulu mayor suggested building the line into downtown and then resuming construction to Ala Moana Center once the funding becomes available.

The critical utility relocation work on Dillingham Boulevard has stalled amid an epic impasse between HART and city planners.

City Council Chair Ikaika Anderson says “the process sucks,” referring to how this major public-private partnership award is made.

“Conservative” projections show the pandemic may trigger a steep drop in the excise and hotel room taxes that finance the project.

Rail officials didn’t have a clear idea of how much the relocation work would cost when they awarded the contract to get it going.