Since its conception over 40 years ago, the first phase of the fixed-guideway system from Kapolei to Waipahu has broken ground.  On February 22, 2011, Mayor Peter Carlisle along with dignitaries from the United States Congress, Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka and other government officials were on hand to commemorate this auspicious rail groundbreaking ceremony.  The event took place at a vacant Kapolei field across from the construction site of the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center, where a 900 stall park-n-ride will be constructed.  This $5.5 billion rail project is expected to generate thousands of jobs over the 10 year period it will take to complete; the first phase is estimated to be completed in 3 years.  When finished, the 20 mile elevated rail line will link East Kapolei to Ala Moana Center, with 19 stops to include, UH West Oahu, Ho`opili, West Loch, Waipahu Transit Center, Leeward Community College, Pearl Highlands, Pearlridge Center, Aloha Stadium, Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Honolulu International Airport, Lagoon Drive, Middle Street, Kalihi, Kapalama, Iwilei, Chinatown, Downtown, Civic Center, and Kaka`ako.  The Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council together with District Council 50 will continue to work to secure project labor agreements with the City and County of Honolulu for construction of the rail project and the transit oriented developments (TODs).  Preliminary work such as the relocation of utility lines, trench work, grading and drilling has already begun.  The actual construction work is expected to commence in late fall of this year.