HRT to spend $5.7M to look into more light rail connections
By Debbie Messina
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 24, 2009
Hampton Roads Transit’s board on Thursday authorized spending $5.7 million to study a Virginia Beach light-rail extension and possible routes to Norfolk Naval Station.
“This is a great step towards the regional vision,” said Norfolk Councilman W. Randy Wright, who also serves on HRT’s board.
HDR, an engineering firm, was hired to conduct a draft environmental impact statement on a light-rail line that would extend from the Norfolk city line at Newtown Road to the Oceanfront along the Norfolk Southern right of way. The Beach recently announced a preliminary agreement to buy the 10.6-mile former freight corridor for $40 million.
HDR will develop cost and ridership estimates, station locations, and other details for a possible Virginia Beach connection.
The firm, which is based in Omaha, Neb., and maintains a Norfolk office, also will conduct an alternatives analysis for connecting to Norfolk Naval Station, one of the region’s largest employers.
In the late 1990s, HRT’s preferred connection was along Military Highway and Interstate 64. Other alternatives studied at the time included using Hampton Boulevard, Colley Avenue, and Monticello Avenue/Granby Street.
Thursday’s action also authorizes spending as much as $2.3 million more if federal regulators require additional study.
The studies will start next month and will be complete in 12 to 16 months, said Jayne Whitney, HRT’s senior vice president for development.
Virginia Beach has not committed to building rail. Council members requested the study to evaluate whether the city should pursue it. Beach voters rejected light rail 56 percent to 44 percent in 1999.
Since then, Norfolk has begun building a $288 million, 7.4-mile starter light rail, and Beach leaders say support has grown in their city.
Meanwhile, Virginia Beach is eyeing the vacant Circuit City property near Town Center for a potential light-rail station.
The studies will be federally funded. HRT already has $1.5 million in federal regional transportation money to launch them. Whitney said the agency expects to receive additional federal money over the next year.
In other action, the board:
- Approved a $41.9 million contract to build a new bus operations facility on 18th Street in Norfolk. In a few months, the board is expected to approve $12 million more for an adjoining administration building.
- Authorized a two-year, $840,000 lease for the now-vacant Ford truck plant while the new bus facility is built.
- Agreed to an option to purchase two additional light-rail vehicles for the Norfolk starter line for up to $3.9 million, using federal economic stimulus money or other federal funding. Nine have already been contracted.
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/04/hrt-spend-57m-look-more-light-rail-connections-0
CO703-GS19-10056