The City Council could reroute Honolulu's planned commuter train to Honolulu International Airport as early as Dec. 3, under a resolution introduced yesterday. That's about one month sooner than under a prior plan to alter the current Salt Lake route via a bill.

Unlike a bill, the resolution introduced by City Councilmen Charles Djou and Todd Apo would not need five affirmative votes or go to the mayor's office for possible approval. A resolution would only need to clear two votes, with the first possibly coming as soon as next Thursday's Transportation and Public Works Committee meeting.

The move could expedite the route change, which could reduce potential delays in the project. However, the accelerated timetable also reduces the amount of time proponents for a Salt Lake route have to rally support for their cause.

The change increases the project's estimated cost by about $220 million, to $4.5 billion. However, an airport route also could build support for the controversial project.

Under Bill 64, which passed first reading Wednesday, the route of the planned elevated commuter rail line from East Kapolei to Ala Moana would bypass Salt Lake in favor of the airport. Resolution 08-261 would accomplish the same purpose sooner, said Djou, who supports an airport route.

Normally, the route would need to be changed via a bill. However, the original ordinance authorizing the city to build the train allows the route to be set via a resolution, Djou said. The plan is to hold a committee hearing next week on both the bill and the resolution, and, barring legal issues, move forward with the resolution, he said.

The Salt Lake route was the product of a political compromise to win the support of Councilman Romy Cachola. Cachola, who represents the Salt Lake area, held the swing vote when the council approved the project in 2007. He threatened to vote against rail unless it was routed through Salt Lake.

Following last week's narrow victory for the rail ballot issue, Councilman Charles Djou said he would vote to support rail because voters support rail. Djou said he still opposes rail because he thinks it will cost too much.

The city plans to start work on the rail line in late 2009. Limited service between West Loch and Waipahu would start in late 2013, and full service from East Kapolei to Ala Moana would begin by the end of 2018.

A prolonged discussion about the rail's route could interfere with plans to begin construction in December 2009. The sooner the route is settled, the less likely the city will waste money studying the wrong route, Djou said.

Cachola yesterday said he wasn't sure whether the city could legally change the route via a resolution.