Governor Linda Lingle issued the following statement in response to Federal Transit Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff who commented on the Honolulu rail financial plan:

Statements made today by the head of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) validate our position that close scrutiny of the financial plan for the City’s rail project is warranted.

In an October 7, 2009 letter to the City, the FTA outlined its concerns with the project’s financial plan and the ability to sustain the project in the long-term.

We are pleased that FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff confirmed the federal government is continuing to work with the city to strengthen the financial plan and that they will evaluate a new financial plan when the city submits its application for the final design.

We are also pleased that Administrator Rogoff recognizes my role in the approval process and understands why I will move forward on an independent review to ensure the financial viability of the project.

---30---

RELATED: FTA commits $1.55 billion to pay for Honolulu rail system (Inouye comes thru for his pet Mufi)