Julie Ford: With the steel-on-steel design, can you tell me what assurances we have that the rail system won't succumb to rust?

I'm concerned that it will end up like Aloha Stadium — one expensive heap of corrosion.

Wayne Yoshioka: There are steel-on-steel systems all over the world that are in tropical and marine environments, and rust poses no problems in those systems.

The old OR&L (Oahu Railway & Land Company) is still out there on the 'Ewa Plain and has been for nearly 90 years and is still being used by the O'ahu Historic Rail Society. Rust is not a problem. The city's plan is to replace rail every 30 years or so as part of the system's regular maintenance. So rust won't be a problem.

Jason Kawakami: Kamehameha Schools' rail plan has trains making 90 degree turns in Downtown and near the Capitol and 'Iolani Palace. Will it be loud?

Yoshioka: The KS so-called "plan" does have some extremely tight turns such as the one at Hotel and Richards streets, which could generate noise impacts if it is even possible to construct. The city's elevated rail train does not contain tight turns, and will therefore be less noisy.

Nick Wong: When will contractors start hiring to build the rail? We need the jobs.

Yoshioka: The city anticipates awarding contracts toward the end of this year. Mayor (Mufi) Hannemann understands the importance of creating jobs and how the rail transit project, in addition to helping relieve traffic congestion, will be a boost to our state's economy.

Not only will there be construction jobs, but there will be a ripple effect and other non-construction jobs will be created as well.

Waipahu Dude: Kamehameha Schools wants to get rid of traffic lanes in Waipahu, Kalihi and Kapi'olani Boulevard for rail. Won't that make traffic worse?

When will the city award the first construction contract for rail?

Yoshioka: Any ground level system will take away valuable existing traffic lanes, making traffic congestion even worse than it is today, if you can imagine that.

There are other traffic impacts to consider to driveways, cross-street traffic and blocking of streets by trains extending into intersections — not to mention the increased potential for pedestrian and vehicle accidents.

An elevated system on the other hand will have a very minimal impact on existing traffic lanes and is completely separated from the vehicular traffic. And there is no chance for accidents with other vehicles and pedestrians.

Copius231: Why are the traffic lights not synchronized throughout the island to promote a free flow of traffic?

Yoshioka: We currently have four separate efforts to optimize traffic signal timing islandwide. The first is in Kapolei and is expected to be implemented within the next couple months. Other efforts are under way in McCully/Mo'ili'ili, Downtown, Waikiki, Kalihi and other areas.

Copius123: Why is it that our roads throughout the island are constantly in such bad condition despite the size of our city government and why is it not a required "team" effort by all city employees who drive including law enforcement?

Yoshioka: Mayor Hannemann has poured millions of dollars into road repair and rehabilitation since coming into office in an effort to catch up with our infrastructure work backlog. In fact, a road paving symposium is planned before the end of September at which the city will make contractors aware of the upcoming road work plans.

Copius123: Do you think it is responsible to even consider the rail project without addressing many of the basic needs regarding O'ahu's infrastructure, like our roads, sewer and water lines, for example?

Yoshioka: The basic infrastructure needs of our city are being addressed. The fact is, there are a lot of things that need to be done, and rail transit must be included in that mix.

Copius123: Has the city conducted an analysis of how much monetary damage our poor road conditions have cost taxpayers?

Yoshioka: We're focusing our efforts on repaving and improving the conditions of our city streets, though there are some studies done nationally that estimate the costs of driving on roads in poor condition.

Amber Lee: Won't a train at ground level affect Hawaiian burial sites along the route?

Yoshioka: Absolutely, Amber, and much more so than an elevated system will. That's because the at-grade system will need to dig up a trench 30 feet wide and as much as 4 to 5 feet deep that runs for several miles in the middle of existing streets!

An elevated system, on the other hand, would require digging 8-foot diameter holes for columns 100 feet or more apart. It's not only burial sites that will be impacted, but there are utility lines underground as well that will be impacted. Nearly all of our city streets have sewers or water pipes or utilities beneath them. This is an important point that KS failed to address in its "plan."

Tanya Miyamoto: I like how the city is integrating the new bike plan with the rail. Will people be able to take their bikes on the trains?

Yoshioka: The city's plan currently allows for bicycles on the train during off-peak hours, and we are looking at the feasibility of accommodating bicycles all the time. Additionally, our recently updated Bicycle Master Plan, which Mayor Hannemann made a priority for my department, identifies strong connections between key bicycle paths and transit stations.

Johnny: When construction actually starts, will local workers get the jobs or will they come from the Mainland like on the Aloha Stadium renovations? The mayor put a big emphasis on the fact that the rail construction will provide jobs for our local people. Do we still have those assurances?

Yoshioka: One of the reasons Mayor Hannemann had the city divide the rail project into many parts was to encourage and enable the participation of local contractors and businesses. We've met with contractors and they indicate that they are planning to maximize the use of local labor and other local resources to reduce their costs and to benefit from the local knowledge and familiarity of our island workforce.

Sue Mason: Why will there be 20-plus stations for 23 miles of rail, when the EIS identified seven or eight transportation sectors in their analysis? The number of stops makes me think this is a glorified bus system and not mass transit.

In Japan, where land is scarce, the mass transit stops have retail shops, restaurants, etc. that encourage and allow riders to shop for necessities, etc. at the station prior to going home or to work. This is not the case with the current proposal. Was this concept considered and why not?

Shouldn't there be enough infrastructure to support and encourage the use of mass transit? Was the concept of allowing private entities to contribute to the construction costs of the stations through long-term lease concessions considered in an effort to defray the initial construction costs?

Yoshioka: The number of rail stations is correct. The stations allow riders to access the system and make it useful.

And what you describe in Japan is what we also expect to occur in the vicinity of rail stations. This is referred to as Transit Oriented Development, and is certainly one of the more exciting elements of developing our rail transit system. It is another way our transit system can help to improve the way our island develops in the future.

Larry: If the city went with the Kamehameha suggestion for grade-level rail, would the city have to start from square one, and possibly lose federal funding?

Yoshioka: Over the years, engineers have looked closely at a grade-level system and have concluded it does not meet the needs for our city. It's not feasible from a safety, traffic congestion, environmental and archaeological perspective.

Nanakuli Bill: While we can expect an increase in taxes to help pay for this project, will it be enough to offset the revenues lost from the decreased sale of gasoline? And will there be adequate parking spaces at loading points?

Yoshioka: Our financial plan indicates that in order to construct this project, only the GET and federal funds will be needed.

The city's plan includes 4,100 parking spaces at park-and-ride lots.