Light rail, high-speed rail deserve support

By GENE WATERS

NEWS OF the 46 percent cost overruns of the light rail project in Norfolk has some people wanting to throw out the baby with the bath water. We shouldn’t.

I personally observed the hard work, integrity and dedication of both commissioners and staff at Hampton Roads Transit. After discovering the cost overruns, I’m sure it was very difficult for Norfolk’s HRT representative, Councilman Randy Wright and others to request the resignation of then-HRT chief Michael Townes.

Certainly, more questions and timely budget details were warranted, but appropriate steps have been taken to resolve the issue . So let’s learn from our mistakes, save the “baby,” correct the process and work together to improve Hampton Roads.

Light rail and high-speed rail are viable solutions for the region. All of us have been affected by losses in real estate, reduction in retail sales, tax revenue shortfalls and increasing unemployment. Sadly, strong parochial focus among our elected officials has resulted in a lack of regional cooperation.

In the past when the economy was at its best, revenue was not dedicated to building adequate roads or light rail. Public infrastructure planning and implementation for light rail is time consuming. Especially in poor economic times, it is paramount that we immediately take steps and make solid commitments to fix our increasing transportation gridlock, because it directly affects our quality of life and ability to compete with other regions in a global economy.

Other cities throughout the United States are having positive results with light rail.

For example, consider Phoenix. With a population of more than 1.5 million, many objected to the $1.4 billion cost of regional light rail. They complained about the one-way ticket price of $1.75 and roundtrip price of $3.50 of their new system.

The 20-mile rail line was completed in December 2008. Most of the ridership involves not those commuting to work, but people who wanted to spend money at ball games, restaurants, bars and cultural events downtown seven days a week, according to a report in The New York Times. Instead of the 26,000 riders a day that was predicted, the numbers quickly increased to 33,000.

Since approval in 2001, more than $3.5 billion in private investment has been made near the site of the light rail line. Benefits including safe, reliable and scheduled transportation; senior housing; increased jobs and security; and many other residential and economic development amenities since the rail system became a reality.

Light rail and highspeed rail are proven revitalization solutions. Since the inception of the South Norfolk Revitalization Commission in 1994, the Chesapeake City Council has actively pursued multiple improvement plans to revitalize South Norfolk. What’s lacking is a real economic incentive to invest in specific areas of our region.

Providing a high-speed line from Chesapeake to Norfolk using existing rail right of way with a station stop in South Norfolk would provide the missing elements — private investment and an attractive business market.

It’s time that Hampton Roads benefits from the rewards of light rail and high-speed rail.

Gene A. Waters is a former Chesapeake City Council member, light rail committee chairman and an HRT commissioner.