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CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON TRAIN MAINTENANCE FACILITY, SYSTEM CONTROL CENTER IN WAIPAHU   (Tue., August 7, 2012) − Construction begins this week on the Honolulu rail transit system's train Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) in Waipahu, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) announced today.   The train maintenance facility will be located on a 43-acre site off Farrington Highway between Leeward Community College and Waipahu High School. The site will also house the train control center that will operate the 20-mile elevated rail system from East Kapolei to Ala Moana. A short blessing was held yesterday.   "This facility will house the 'brains and trains' of the rail system in which the driverless trains and other rail operations will be controlled from this location," HART CEO and Executive Director Dan Grabauskas said. "This latest construction underway shows the rail project continues moving forward and is on the right track."   Along with the train system control center, the facility will house a maintenance building for track inspection and repairs; a train vehicle wash facility; and train wheel repair center.   Contractor Kiewit/Kobayashi, a Joint Venture will conduct grading work on weekdays between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Lane closures are not required for this portion of the work, but drivers and pedestrians using Ala Ike Street connecting to Leeward Community College should watch for construction vehicles entering and exiting the construction site. The public is advised to proceed with caution around the designated work zones and to not cross any barricades fencing off the work areas.   The facility will be environmentally-friendly and meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification, with sustainable features including natural lighting and ventilation in buildings; use of recycled construction materials wherever possible; and water-efficient landscaping.   Kiewit/Kobayashi, a Joint Venture, was awarded the $195 million contract in 2010 to design and build the facility.   - 30 -   Media Contact: Scott Ishikawa cell: (808) 227-2350, office (808) 768-6172.