THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 17, 1995 TAG: 9511170420
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
A one-year study of road capacity and access between Norfolk and Virginia Beach has reached its halfway point, narrowing its focus to four options, including a detailed study of light rail between the two cities.
The four options include: adding a dedicated bus lane on the Interstate 264/Route 44 corridor; creating a ``congestion mitigation system'' that would meter traffic onto local highways, building a light rail system between the Norfolk Naval Base and Virginia Beach Pavilion; and doing nothing, an option required by the government.
The $1 million study is a preliminary step toward getting matching federal funds for transportation improvements. Tidewater Regional Transit, which is sponsoring the study, is expected to announce its recommendations by the end of the year.
Previous efforts to bring light rail to South Hampton Roads have failed. In 1988, the Norfolk and Virginia Beach city councils conducted a study of the idea but decided against further funding.
The current light rail option would run from the Pavilion, through Norfolk and to the Naval Base, using the Norfolk Southern right-of-way.
The study will be finalized by the end of the year. Organizers are encouraging the public to study the options and give opinions. For more information, call the project's hotline at (804) 461-0647.
KEYWORDS: MASS TRANSIT LIGHT RAIL TRAIN TIDEWATER REGIONAL TRANSIT by CNB