The in town section is most unsuitable for at-grade rail, as there would be major vehicular traffic interference. At-grade was suitable for the section Ewa of Chinatown, where the existing public right-of-way of the former OR&L Railway was available. With closing side streets and grade separating major thoroughfares, similar to central Honolulu sections of the H-1, there would be no interference with vehicular traffic.  The cost savings could have been used to underground the sections from downtown to Ala Moana and beyond.