The probable reason why the FTA is not willing to increase funding is the city has not found a means to control the funding fiasco.  From the very beginning, we knew that three billion dollars would not be enough to complete the project.  When the rail discussion first began, the public knew that it would take much more than what the city projected.  Why are they planning to build twenty plus rail stops?  That means that the riders who get on first will likely be waiting for almost as long as they would driving a car.  If you have a child who needs to be picked up due to illness and you work in town or Ala Moana, how frustrating would it be to stop fifteen times?  They need to consider reducing the number of stops or maybe have the overhead route become a one way into town in the morning and west bound in the afternoon.  Just add the off ramps on both sides.  Open the roadway Monday through Friday and conduct maintenance on the weekends.  Open the roadway for easing major accidents.