Civil Beat has learned that the city and congressional delegation is preparing to announce that Honolulu has received a Letter of No Prejudice from the Federal Transit Administration.

The so-called “LONP” is a key step for the rail project. It allows the city to spend its own money on heavy construction before Congress gives final approval to $1.55 billion in grant funding the city is counting on.

Until now, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has only been able to do pre-construction work, design and planning. It’s been able to move utilities, test soil and buy equipment.

With the LONP in hand, HART will mobilize rail contractors. Within four to six weeks, construction on the first phase of the fixed guideway could begin.