On June 30th, Hampton Roads Transit held a meeting to discuss the progress of the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study, in which they're trying to determine the feasability af extending their light rail line, called "The Tide", to the Virginia Beach oceanfront, or whether other means of public transit would work better.

Below is a slideshow of the presentation given by representatives of HRT.

You can go to the HRT/VBTES website to learn more by clicking HERE

You can learn more about "The Tide" by clicking HERE

You can go directly to the public comment page by clicking HERE

You can download a PDF version of this slideshow by clicking HERE

(From the City of Virginia Beach Website)

Tired of sitting in traffic? Tired of emptying your wallet every week at the gas station?

Mass transit may be the answer.

The City of Virginia Beach has partnered with Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) and HDR Engineering, Inc. to explore alternatives to the same old cars-on-roads model. We will be taking a hard look at light rail, buses, and other transit options for travel in the corridor that runs from Newtown Road to the Oceanfront and includes: Virginia Beach Boulevard, I-264, and the Norfolk Southern Corporation’s right-of-way. The official term for this type of study is an Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (AA/DEIS).

The purpose of the AA/DEIS is to provide a base of knowledge on which to make a decision on which of the possible options is the locally preferred alternative (LPA) and whether to proceed with further design and construction.

The study process is designed to provide multiple opportunities for public participation throughout all phases of the study process.

Two public meetings will be held in Virginia Beach:

September 9, from 6-8 p.m., at Princess Anne High School, 4400 Virginia Beach Boulevard

September 10, from 6-8 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street

For additional details, see HRT's Virginia Beach Transit Extension website. Check back often for future announcements and public meeting dates.

Our friends at SmartRegion.org are also following this topic at this link:

http://smartregion.org/2009/07/speak-up-public-involvement-program-for-virginia-beach-transit/

In case you missed it, the City hosted a public open house in September 2008 to get the community’s initial thoughts on the possibility of expanding light rail to the beach. The information from that meeting can be found HERE.

Contact Information:
Comprehensive Planning
2405 Courthouse Drive
Room 115
Municipal Center, Bldg. 2
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Main: (757) 385-4621
Fax: (757) 385-5667

From WHRO:
Two major projects, two cities. The Virginia Beach Town Center is ready to grow, again. Well take a look at the next phase in building the resort citys downtown. In Norfolk, The Tide construction is rolling along to bring light rail to Hampton Roads. Will Virginia Beach latch on to the idea? The President and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit, Michael Townes, joins us along with city leaders from Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Join host Cathy Lewis as we take a look at where both projects are headed.

Category: News & Politics