You knew this one was coming, and it didn’t take very long. Rail proponents are pointing to today’s news that Honolulu’s traffic is the nation’s worst as further proof that the transit system is needed.

Go Rail Go President Maeda Timson just sent this email:

“Residents of Leeward, Ewa and West Oahu have known from first hand experience they have some of the worst traffic congestion imaginable. Now, traffic data company INRIX has confirmed what we suspected. Honolulu has the worst traffic congestion in the nation and its getting more congested every year,” said Go Rail Go president, Maeda Timson.

Timson stated, “We now have solid evidence that traffic is horrible and getting worse. And without rail, we will have no alternative to further misery and wasted hours. Those who think otherwise better think again. There’s no viable system to replace the one already being built and no time for talk about BRT and other wild goose chases. We are fast approaching gridlock, and rail transit is the only thing can save our transportation system from a complete meltdown.

“The INRIX study tells us that this year we are wasting, on average, 58 more hours more than we did last year and it’s costing us more to do so. On top of the time wasted, we have the highest gas prices. That means that not only are we spending more time in traffic, it’s costing the people on this island more to be stuck in our cars than it costs people in any other city. If anyone had illusions about how badly we need rail, this study should open their eyes.”

UPDATE: Timson misstates the traffic situation in Honolulu. The INRIX study said Honolulu drivers spend, on average, 58 hours each year in traffic — not 58 more hours than the prior year.