Plans for light rail in Virginia Beach, Va., are moving forward, local media report. Officials from Hampton Roads Transit joined Virginia Beach City Council to update them on bringing light rail to the resort city. Right now it's looking like any light rail expansion to the beach would include about nine stations. 
It starts where Norfolk leaves off at Witchduck Rd. and then goes right now the 264 corridor, stopping at Town Center, Lynn Shores, Lynnhaven, Great Neck, Oceana, Birdneck, the Convention Center, and finally stopping down at the Oceanfront on 19th St.

HRT Spokeswoman Jayne Whitney, says, "We are very fortunate to have that transportation corridor available so that's what we are focusing our attention to and it is an extension of the Tide."

HRT is also looking at building park and ride lots at six locations that would each hold about 250 parking spots.


Mayor Will Sessoms says he's happy with how things are moving along. Now he's waiting on results from the environmental studies as well as confirmation on federal dollars.

"I don't think any project will move forward without federal and state funding. It is absolutely critical to be able to do that," Mayor Sessoms says.


Once all that is settled, the city has other decisions to make, including whether they want to invest in light rail cars similar to Norfolk's, or a different style of bus rapid transit. Before any plans get on track, the public will have a chance to weigh in, but that might not happen until late 2011 or early 2012.