Va. Beach proposes framework for light-rail grant deal

Virginia Beach:

“State Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne told area business leaders Wednesday that Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms had agreed to the general terms for a state grant of $155 million for a light-rail extension into the city. Hours later, the city released a draft two-page proposal that lays the framework of an agreement between the parties. A city spokesman said it reflected Beach officials' understanding of the terms as discussed by Sessoms, Layne and staff members with the city and state.

The document begins by saying it is not intended to be an offer, acceptance or binding agreement ‘of any kind,’ and is only ‘a summary of the basic terms of a possible transaction.’ Council members discussed the proposal in a closed session Tuesday. If the state agrees to the terms, the council would eventually vote on any deal in public, Councilman Jim Wood said.

The proposal says extending light rail to Town Center is estimated to cost $290 million, and that the state would contribute 50 percent of the cost, up to $155 million. It says the city would not request any state money for evaluation of alternative transit technologies, an indirect reference to trains that operate by magnetic levitation.”

~ Writes Dave Forster, Kathy Adams & Philip Walzer of The Virginian-Pilot

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Following one or both tracks to Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach:

“Since proposals began landing on their desks last year, city officials have been weighing whether to extend traditional light rail into Virginia Beach or go with a magnetic levitation system, even though that technology is unproven. Now some officials are thinking, ‘Why not do both?’

A new idea favored by some city staff and council members would involve extending The Tide from Newtown Road to Town Center and creating a Union Station-like transportation hub there, while also moving forward with a magnetic-levitation, or maglev, pilot project at the Oceanfront. The hope is that, if maglev succeeded, it would eventually come to Town Center and branch out to the city’s naval bases, the Norfolk airport and Chesapeake.

Even though any concrete decision on a new mass transit system is far from being made, the dual approach is favored by Deputy City Manager Dave Hansen, Vice Mayor Louis Jones and At-Large Councilman Brad Martin. It’s helped along by the fact that American Maglev Technology and ACS Industrial Services, which are behind the maglev proposal, have offered to pay for the pilot project and, if it failed, remove the tracks.”

~ Writes Kathy Adams of the The Virginian-Pilot

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Mayor: Governor will help fund Va. Beach light rail

Virginia Beach:

“Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne have committed to help pay to bring light rail to Virginia Beach, Mayor Will Sessoms announced Thursday during his annual State of the City address. City officials have been eager to move forward with the transportation system. Hampton Roads Transit has estimated it would cost $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion to extend The Tide from Newtown Road to the Oceanfront, depending on the route.

During the lunchtime address at the Convention Center, Sessoms said the McAuliffe administration has given a ‘firm commitment’ to help pay for a Beach light-rail system. The mayor did not provide details of how much money or where it would come from. The remarks seemed to catch the governor’s office off guard. His staff said that while McAuliffe supports the concept of extending light rail, the governor needs to review a specific proposal. He has not committed any money, they said.”

~Writes Kathy Adams of the The Virginian-Pilot

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HRT shares maps of Norfolk light-rail extension options

City of Norfolk:

“Hampton Roads Transit has released highly conceptual maps showing several ways the city might extend light rail to Norfolk Naval Station. The transit agency on Wednesday announced three public workshops it will hold next week to gather feedback on the alignments.

The routes grew out of past public workshops and do not consider cost or potentially fatal flaws, such as right of way problems, so several may prove unfeasible after a closer look. The maps show paths running along most major north-south corridors in the city, including Hampton Boulevard, Colley Avenue, Church Street, Tidewater Drive and North Military Highway, past Norfolk International Airport.

Analysis of the routes has begun and will continue, with HRT planning to have recommendations by summer of two to four alignments to study further, said Julie Timm, the agency's transit development officer. The agency is still willing to consider corridors that have not yet been proposed, she added. As staffers whittle the options, they will give extra weight to those that receive the most support from the public, Timm said.”

~ Writes Cindy Clayton & Dave Forster of The Virginian-Pilot

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Routes proposed for Norfolk light rail extension

City of Norfolk:

“Public workshops will be held next week in Norfolk on proposed routes extending the city’s light rail to Norfolk Naval Station. Hampton Roads Transit has scheduled workshops Monday at Granby High School, Tuesday at the Ted Constant Convocation Center at Old Dominion University and Wednesday at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.

The transit agency released conceptual maps of the proposed routes on Wednesday. The routes run along most major north-south corridors in the city. Transit development officer Julie Timm tells The Virginian-Pilot that the agency plans to have recommendations of two to four routes for further study by summer. She says the agency is willing to consider corridors that have not yet been proposed.”

~Writes the Associated Press, The Washington Post

HRT: Light rail through Hilltop would cost $1.3B

City of Virginia Beach

“Bringing a light-rail route to the Hilltop area would draw more commuters and tourists than earlier options but would cost nearly $300 million more and disrupt twice as many homeowners and businesses, project leaders said Tuesday. Executives from Hampton Roads Transit unveiled a $1.3 billion price tag for running a train from Newtown Road through the upscale Hilltop section and on to the Oceanfront. City Council members sat quietly throughout the presentation.

Construction could begin no sooner than 2018 - no matter which of three HRT options or others being floated is selected - and the project faces significant financial and political hurdles. HRT President and CEO William Harrell said that by 2034, the Hilltop route is projected to attract a minimum of 8,845 ‘boardings’ per weekday in Virginia Beach - the most of the three routes.”

~Writes John Holland of Virginian-Pilot

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