Hundreds tour the Tide
Updated: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2009, 11:36 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 23 Sep 2009, 6:52 PM EDT
Lori Crouch
NORFOLK, Va. – More than a hundred people put on their walking shoes to take a downtown stroll along the light rail line. A guide pointed out areas of interest.
“The track is going to be [a] double embedded track. You’re going to see…northbound and southbound track I’ll show you that as we walk along”
The tour marks the halfway point for the light rail project. A fact Norfolk City Councilman Randy Wright is pretty excited about.
“Its a significant milestone in getting this line built so it’s pretty cool,” he said.
While Reid Rapoport supports the system, cool isn’t a word he’d use to describe it. He’s moving his business “The Quality Shop” because construction clogged his entryway and kept customers out.
“The feedback we’ve been getting from customers, ’cause when they’re trying to get down here, streets and detours change everyday and signage seems to be conflicting,” said Rapoport.
While Norfolk celebrates its milestone, Wright is looking ahead to the future of a regional system.
“There’s Town Center, there’s the oceanfront, there’s Old Dominion University and there’s the Navy base. Those are the four primary critical masses and we can see a spur going to Oceana,” he said.
Donning custom shirts just for the occasion, Laura Schreiber and a group of 25 friends envision the possibilities.
“Not just for a commute to work but getting around to different things like Harbor Park, really all over. We’re kind of excited to see it get started and hopefully spread to other areas too,” said Schreiber.
Councilman Wright estimates more than 40,000 will be off the roads once the rail is complete. The Quality Shop is moving to its new location off 21st Street.
The Tide will be ready to ride October 2010.