Virginia Beach to be linked to Norfolk with light rail
Ever since The Tide, Norfolk’s light rail transit system, was first considered for construction in 1999, the possibility, or indeed the plan, of linking it to Virginia Beach has been talked of as well. The two cities are integral to one another as major commercial and tourism hubs and their joint development in a major state priority.
The Tide is a 7.4 mile, US $288 million light rail system that is operated by Hampton Roads Transit and is expected to carry as many as 11,000 passengers when it is fully completed in 2011, according to Virginia Beach news reports.
The construction schedule at present envisions a line that runs through the downtown area of Norfolk and connects the Eastern Virginia Medical Centre with Newton Road, with as many as ten stops in-between each way, linking various significant parts of the city and forming the basis of a greater mass transit plan to ease traffic congestion.
The transport corridor between Virginia Beach and Norfolk is one that suffers from regular hold ups and congestion, especially at peak hour and during the high season when Virginia Beach becomes the state’s major tourist stomping ground.
An extension of The Tide has always, therefore, been considered by Hampton Roads Transit and officials from the company recently met with Virginia Beach city leaders to discuss the development of the Norfolk-Virginia Beach transit corridor, otherwise known as the 264 corridor, named after the I-264, one of the major highways linking the two cities currently.
The extension plans call for the light rail system to branch off from Witchduck Road in Norfolk and head down the existing 264 corridor to Virginia Beach, stopping at various city stations and terminating at 19th Street on the Oceanfront, the major tourist destination in the city.
Among the several other stops planned are Town Center, Lynn Shores, Lynnhaven, Great Neck, Oceana, Birdneck and the Convention Center, although the city had indicated to Virginia Beach news media that these plans may change according to financial and environmental studies.
While Norfolk’s light rail system is due to come online in early 2011, Virginia Beach will have to wait until 2012 at the earlier before final plans are even made and construction begins. The city first needs to apply for federal funding for the initiative, which is expected to cost as much as US $1 billion, some of which may be shouldered by Hampton Roads Transit.
“I don’t think any project will move forward without federal and state funding. It is absolutely critical to be able to do that,” Mayor Sessoms, told Virginia Beach news media at a press conference in October.
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Virginia Beach Focus
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Virginia Beach to be linked to Norfolk with light rail
Virginia Beach may soon have a light rail link to Norfolk, which, along with Virginia Beach itself, is part of the commercial heart of the state. A light rail link between the two cities would have major benefits for commuters and local business, boosting the travel and tourism sector through increased accessibility.
Ever since The Tide, Norfolk’s light rail transit system, was first considered for construction in 1999, the possibility, or indeed the plan, of linking it to Virginia Beach has been talked of as well. The two cities are integral to one another as major commercial and tourism hubs and their joint development in a major state priority. Read more
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