Skyline’s Segment 3 Hits Major Milestone with First Guideway Column

Honolulu’s journey toward a more connected city center reached a pivotal moment this week. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has completed Pier 732, the first guideway column for Skyline’s Segment 3. This achievement marks the beginning of the physical infrastructure that will eventually link the rail system to the heart of downtown Honolulu.

Pier 732: A Symbolic Start for Downtown Connectivity

Located near the intersection of Fort Street and Nimitz Highway in Downtown Honolulu, Pier 732 is more than just a slab of concrete; it’s the first of 148 columns required to support the guideway for Segment 3. The construction of this specific pier involved an underground shaft reaching depths of over 100 feet and required between 300 and 400 cubic yards of concrete—roughly 30 to 40 truckloads.

HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina described the completion as a significant accomplishment for the HART Ohana and the project’s contractor, Tutor Perini. While Pier 732 is the first vertical column, 17 column foundations have already been completed, with the next vertical column scheduled for completion in April 2026.

Understanding the Scope of Segment 3

Segment 3, known as the City Center Guideway and Stations (CCGS) project, is a massive undertaking designed to push the rail system from the Middle Street Transit Center to the future Civic Center Station in Kakaako. The project includes:

• Guideway: Approximately three miles of elevated guideway.
• Stations: Six new stations located at Kalihi, Honolulu Community College, Iwilei, Chinatown, Downtown, and the Civic Center.
• Investment: A design-build contract awarded to Tutor Perini Corp. In August 2024 for approximately $1.66 billion.

Construction activity is ramping up across the sector. In addition to the guideway columns, early-stage foundation work at the Chinatown Station, situated at Kekaulike St. And Nimitz Highway, is set to begin in April 2026.

Timeline and Future Outlook

The path to downtown is a multi-year process. Following a groundbreaking ceremony on August 11, 2025, at the future site of the Ka‘ākaukukui (Civic Center) Station, HART has established a clear trajectory for completion:

• Construction Completion: Scheduled for 2030.
• Passenger Service: Anticipated to begin by summer 2031.

The Broader Skyline Network

Segment 3 is the final piece of the puzzle for the current expansion. Skyline already operates from East Kapolei to Middle Street through two completed segments:

• Segment 1: Opened June 30, 2023, spanning 10.75 miles from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium with nine stations.
• Segment 2: Opened October 16, 2025, adding 5.2 miles of guideway and four stations between Aloha Stadium and the Kalihi Transit Center.

Key Takeaways: Skyline Segment 3