State to get $20M for planned pedestrian bridge over Ala Moana Boulevard

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii will get $20 million from the federal government to build a pedestrian bridge over Ala Moana Boulevard that had been first suggested and then championed by Ward Village developer Howard Hughes Corp.

The bridge will connect Ala Moana Beach Park and Kewalo Harbor to Ward Village, Ala Moana Center and the future Ward rail station.

Howard Hughes called the walkway a public-private partnership Wednesday, but didn’t elaborate on how much the developer would be pitching in to build the project.

“This elevated walkway over Ala Moana Blvd. is a game-changer,” said Simon Treacy, Howard Hughes Hawaii president, in a statement.

“This overpass will provide the community with a safe and secure pedestrian experience connecting mauka to makai. Through this public-private partnership, we look forward to developing a world-class, public amenity."

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said he worked with the U.S. Department of Transportation to secure the discretionary grant funding aimed at making a “significant local or regional impact.”

“We had to compete for these dollars, so this is an especially big win for Oahu residents," Schatz said.

“These new federal funds will make it easier and safer for people to visit Ala Moana Beach Park, shop at local businesses, and access the future rail line."