THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 28, 1996 TAG: 9606280012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 25 lines
Controversy over a light-rail connection between Virginia Beach and Norfolk continues.
The solution is so simple that I am amazed that experienced railroad officials have not investigated it long ago.
My suggestion: Keep the present freight line intact, just as it is now, assuring a steady supply of freight shipments to commercial and military customers along the line. Build an overhead monorail system for passenger traffic, right over the established rail right of way. There would be no need to build bridges over important highways or elsewhere. There would be no need for fencing along the route. There would be no interference with motor-vehicle traffic along the entire 13-mile stretch.
An off-ground monorail system is the logical answer to the problem of mass-passenger traffic between the two cities, and still retain the freight line.
R. SHELTON CROOM
Norfolk, June 22, 1996 by CNB