By Karen Robes Meeks
With the first phase of the Kapalama Container Terminal project at Honolulu Harbor completed ahead of schedule, Hawaii transportation leaders are ready for the second phase to begin.
Earlier this month, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Harbors Division announced that it plans to open the bidding for Phase 2 in February 2020. This phase is expected to cost between $200 million and 300 million and should be completed by 2023.
“Positive improvements are underway at our commercial harbors that will enhance operations for the harbor users, which ultimately benefits the public as a whole,” said Deputy Director Derek Chow, Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division. “This project is especially exciting because it will help address our capacity issues and meet the growing economic demands for the long term, that when complete, overseas transfers of containers to the interisland carrier will reduce traffic around the harbor’s surrounding roads.”
The terminal project, which started in January 2018, is the centerpiece of the Harbors Modernization Plan and is considered the biggest capital improvement project in Hawaii harbors history.