Hampton Roads, Va., transit plan envisions a mix of ferries, rail, buses

A tunnel dedicated exclusively to light rail and a network of fast ferries are recommended to link South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula in a draft plan for expanding public transit in Hampton Roads, the Virginian-Pilot
 reports. Other ideas include streetcars, bus rapid transit and commuter rail.

Work is wrapping up on
the Hampton Roads Regional Transit Vision Plan, a state-sponsored study that
explores ways to improve mobility and connect communities by means other than
automobiles.

"We are probably in the
final chapter or so in new highway construction," said Dwight Farmer, executive
director of the planning organization. Once highway projects already identified
are built, he said, "urban centers are going to see unprecedented investments
in other modes."

It’s a sign the region is
maturing, he said. There are opportunities to expand highways in the urban area
if leaders choose to double-deck, like in some bigger cities. "It’s a question
of: Is that what we want to do or is it about new choices?" he said.

Farmer’s agency initiated
the idea, producing a broad transit plan nearly two years ago. The Virginia
Department of Rail and Public Transportation committed $300,000 and worked with
HRT to expand it.

The spine of the plan is
light rail, which would connect to the other modes. Norfolk’s $338-million,
7.4-mile starter line is scheduled to open in May.

"Light-rail extensions in
Hampton Roads would change the way we travel, the way we work and ultimately
the way we live in those corridors," Farmer said.

For the short term, by
2025, the plan proposes extending light rail to Virginia Beach along the former
freight line and to Norfolk Naval Station running up the west side of the city.
The estimated cost is $266 million-to-$464 million for the 4.5-mile Navy base
line. No cost estimate is provided for the Beach line, which is under study.

Also in the near future,
high-speed ferries from the Norfolk base and downtown Norfolk to Hampton and
Newport News are envisioned.

In the long term, by
2035, the plan recommends a light-rail extension from Harbor Park in Norfolk to
Greenbrier in Chesapeake, and a streetcar between Harbor Park and downtown
Portsmouth. Beyond 2035, light-rail extensions are envisioned from Norfolk
Naval Station to Greenbrier. Downtown Portsmouth to Harbour View in Suffolk is
planned as bus rapid transit.

Also in the extended plan
are a light-rail tunnel between Norfolk Naval Station and downtown Newport
News, two commuter rails from Harbor Park to downtown Suffolk and to Fentress
in Chesapeake, more ferries between Norfolk and the Peninsula and a ferry from
Harbour View in Suffolk to the Peninsula.

The plan also calls for
light rail and commuter rail on the Peninsula.

Courtney Ware, state rail
department spokeswoman, said the study looked at land use and each city’s comprehensive
plans to decide what corridors could benefit from transit and what form of
transit would best fit.

"We’re establishing a broad
vision of transit in the future so the public gets a sense there is a network
of transit corridors in our region that are viable for future review… rather
than isolated components," said Jayne Whitney, an HRT vice president.