about 3 days ago - No comments
Sunday’s Virginian Pilot had 2 definitively anti-light rail letters to the editor. The first, entitled “Hard Questions on Light Rail,” assumes that light rail is meant to replace the vehicles currently used by commuters actually commuting. The author, Arthur S. Poole, then goes on to suggest that the tax-subsidized nature of light rail means that, [...]
about 3 weeks ago - No comments
The Virginian-Pilot reported the other day that Wally Erb, the man behind the the most recent drive for a light rail referendum, was able to gather only 1,083 signatures. Unfortunately for Mr. Erb, he needed 25,000 signatures. 25,000 signatures represent less than six percent of Virginia Beach’s population. 1,083 signatures represent less than .25% of [...]
about 5 months ago - No comments
HRT has released their final “cost-to-completion” for the Tide light rail system currently under construction in Norfolk. The new final cost is $338,284,251. This is, of course, much higher than the $232 million that was originally promised. Despite claims that HRT’s new President and CEO Philip Shucet is responsible for the firming up of the [...]
about 5 months ago - 1 comment
The Commonwealth Transportation Board will vote today on the proposed High Speed rail line from Richmond to Norfolk. Hopefully, we can get the funding we need from the government and our region can finally start moving forward. Well, most of our region. Norfolk will move forward with its planned expansion of light rail. The Peninsula [...]
about 5 months ago - 1 comment
As you may already know, Downtown parking garages are getting cameras installed. I think that it is a great idea. The garages should have cameras. I do have a couple of concerns. My major concern is why they have clear domes? Everybody knows that a tinted dome on the ceiling is a camera. The clear [...]
about 5 months ago - No comments
While the Pilot did not specifically name it as such, Portsmouth appears to be adopting their very own version of a form-based zoning code. Actually, as far as the article was concerned, it was not very in-depth when it came to explaining the new code. Regardless, Portsmouth is the latest in a long list of [...]
about 5 months ago - No comments
Th Pilot reported that the new temporary leader for Hampton Roads Transit, Philip Shucet, will ask Virginia Beach to share 20% of the VB Light Rail Extension Study’s cost. Coming in at approximately $245,000, it is the latest in a long series of problems, real or perceived, at HRT. The money is to cover the [...]
about 6 months ago - 2 comments
A side note from the High Speed Rail meeting that I wanted everyone to know. When Thelma Drake (who is now the new Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation) arrived to the meeting, she apologized for being late due to a State Senate Appropriations meeting. She said that “when the appropriations committee [...]
about 6 months ago - No comments
Apparently someone made a mistake. The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that a section of the embedded light rail tracks must be reconstructed due to a failure during a routine inspection. The problem only applies to the concrete surrounding the tracks and in no way requires the rebuilding of the tracks themselves. While this is unfortunate, it [...]
about 5 months ago
I agree that none of these would fit the Chesapeake of today. I do like either connecting with Norfolks Line at Harbour Park or at the NSU station they are both good half-way points. The only thing about these is that they do not include Greenbrier mall which I feel is necessary. Also I never even thought about going all the way to the NC border, this I feel would be necessary too.
about 5 months ago
I think that a line could be made to reach every important Chesapeake destination. I don’t think we should use light rail to go to the NC line. Instead, perhaps a commuter rail would work better. Light rail would require electrical lines.
about 5 months ago
so what do u think about Chesapeake Council’s decision?
about 4 months ago
I think that they are being too short-sighted and relying too much on the current budget situation. As we move forward, their budget will only become bleaker. People will not continue being able to afford to live in a city that is 15 miles or more away from work, etc if that commute involves a vehicle that uses gasoline.
about 4 months ago
i agree
there’s too much skepticism and not enough common sense. they think these studies that are a federal requirement are free. also that LR itself is free