The Tide in Last Stage of Review

August 3rd, 2007

The city's long-sought starter light-rail line has finally cleared federal administrative hurdles and is now just one step away from reality.

The proposed $232 million transit project is currently before Congress for a required 60-day review. If it survives, which several congressional insiders predict it will, residents could "Ride the Tide" starting in early 2010. If no objections are raised, local officials will sign a contract accepting $128 million in federal rail funding, and start construction this fall. An additional $38 million would come from the city, $29 million from the state and $37 million from other federal sources. "We've been waiting years and years for this," said City Councilman W. Randy Wright, who has led the light-rail charge for more than a decade in Norfolk. The 7.4-mile line would run from the Eastern Virginia Medical Center through downtown and along a rail corridor parallel to Interstate 264 to Newtown Road at the Virginia Beach city line. It's expected to carry up to 12,000 passengers a day. An average of 38,000 people a day now ride Hampton Roads Transit buses. "We're a little more than cautiously optimistic," Wright said. "We need to be careful and let the system finish the process."

The project will be reviewed by congressional committees but does not require any action. "All prior arrangements have gone through without a problem, so I am optimistic that light rail will finally come to South Hampton Roads," said Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Newport News. Rep. Thelma Drake, R-Norfolk, who has helped shepherd the project through the federal process, said the review is "pretty much a formality." Drake said she looks forward to when the line could be extended to the Norfolk Naval Station. "That would help tremendously with our transportation problems." She added that she hopes the Virginia Beach City Council "will look at this issue once this continues to move forward."

Light rail has been batted around since the 1980s. After several fits and starts that at times included Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, the Norfolk starter system evolved in 2000 as the most viable starting point of a what officials say will ultimately be a regional system. "This has been a long-term process - a marathon, not a sprint," said Michael Townes, HRT 's president and CEO. "We're getting down to the end, and I see the finish line in sight."


Read on to learn more about the proposal: