THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 20, 1997 TAG: 9701180827
SECTION: BUSINESS WEEKLY PAGE: 9 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: 1997 FORECAST
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 59 lines
It will be a year of planning and building transportation projects instead of grand openings and ribbon cuttings.
While there will be few new roads opening or transportation systems launched, several decisions will be made in 1997 that will shape the future of transportation in the region:
A study committee will recommend where to build a third bridge-tunnel linking South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula and how to pay for it.
Federal authorities will decide whether to fund a $4 million study on a light rail system between Virginia Beach and Norfolk.
The state will consider pursuing a private partnership to build a second Midtown Tunnel between Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Other major studies are also under way, including how to handle increasing traffic on Interstate 64 on the Peninsula and whether to develop a commuter rail system along the CSX Corridor in Newport News.
Planning will also continue on relocating and widening Route 168 in Chesapeake, widening Route 17 in Chesapeake, constructing the Pinners Point Connector in Portsmouth and building the Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt in Virginia Beach.
Many road improvement projects are under construction but will not be completed in 1997.
They include the widening of Military Highway in Norfolk, improvements to Indian River and Campostella roads in Norfolk, and construction of High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes on Interstate 264 into Norfolk and I-64 in Chesapeake.
While the $200-million parallel span to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel will not be be complete until 1999, two sections will open this year.
The first section of the new two-lane bridge, from the toll plaza on the Eastern Shore to Fisherman's Island, will open in March. The stretch from Fisherman's Island to the entrance to the northern tunnel will be ready in September.
At Norfolk International Airport, there are no anticipated arrivals of new carriers or departures of existing airlines, said Wayne Shank, deputy executive director.
Work will continue this year on planning and designing a 200,000-square-foot arrivals and baggage claim terminal adjacent to the main terminal. Construction would not begin, however, until late 1998.
Several capital projects at the airport will also be under way this year. They include demolition of a portion of the old terminal building now used for federal inspections and updating the aircraft rescue and firefighting training facility.
In addition, the airport will upgrade navigational aids, which help pilots take-off and land safely at times of poor visibility.
Also in 1997, the second phase of an airport regional planning study will continue. The $1.3 million study will examine consolidating the three airports from Richmond to Virginia Beach into one or possibly two major regional airports. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
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KEYWORDS: 1997 FORECAST TRANSPORTATION ROAD CONSTRUCTION