Posts tagged High Speed Rail

CTB To Vote On HSR Today

Feb 17th

Posted by 757HR in Light Rail Transportation

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 wants their very own light rail so that they can move forward. Portsmouth wants to move forward and join Norfolk’s light rail. I think for the most part, Chesapeake wants to move forward but at the same time, they wonder why nobody ever pays them any attention when it comes to transportation (think drawbridges). Virginia Beach does not really want to move forward. They want somebody else to move forward for them, so that they can continue to work backwards and build new highways.

, , ,

“Public Transit Is The Future of Transportation

Jan 30th

Posted by 757HR in Bus Transportation

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 wants to meet with you, you don’t miss it.” She also, more importantly, made the comment that the committee had told her that “public transit is the future of transportation” and that we simply “cannot afford to build more roads.”

I want to emphasize the fact that the committee in charge of handing our money stated that “public transit is the future of transportation.” This is a huge leap forward for state policy on transportation. I can only hope and pray that they follow through with some HSR money and maybe some more LRT money.

,

High Speed Rail Meeting

Jan 28th

Posted by 757HR in Rail Transportation

2 comments

Yesterday I attended the High Speed Rail meeting in Newport News. I must say that it was the first time I have ever heard so many people from so many different parts of the region speak about the need for one thing: High Speed Rail to South Hampton Roads. I must admit that I had thought beforehand that they might show more support for the option of HSR on the Peninsula. On the contrary, however, Mayor Frank (NN) spoke about the need to support HSR for South Hampton Roads. He was not the only one, either.

Overall, I am still curious about the ability to pay for it, but I am excited at the same time. I am excited because, as a region, we have picked an option and have made our decision. I encourage everybody to make sure to comment and support Alternative 1 for High Speed Rail in South Hampton Roads.

If you would like to attend, there is a final meeting in Norfolk tonight at 5:30 at the Cruise Terminal. All comments are due by Feb. 11.

Finally, High Speed Progess

Nov 2nd

Posted by 757HR in Economy

No comments

Source of Image: The Virginian-Pilot

Finally, with only months left before the deadline, the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization has voted to push for High Speed Rail to the Southside, terminating in Downtown Norfolk. The vote was unanimous among those in attendance. Nay-sayers might say that it doesn’t really mean that there is support, since four of the Peninsula cities went unrepresented but they had their chance. They obviously did not think that it was important enough for them to need to go. I have to say, however, that the Mayor of Hampton, Molly Ward, should get some sort of reward. Fhe was quoted as saying, “You do whats best for the region and the commonwealth. You don’t make any progress when you just say no.” That was definitely a show of regionalism. If only our other localities had mayors that were smart enough to speak out publicly and say that it wasn’t just about what was good for their city, but instead it was about what was good for the region. Good job Mayor Ward.

This move is not the final say, however. It will not be final until the Commonwealth Transportation Board votes on the issue. If it passed the Board, it opens the door to High Speed Rail to Hampton Roads. This new High Speed line will terminate near Harbor Park, where a proposed multi-modal station would be built where High Speed Rail, Light Rail, and local buses could meet. All is not lost for the Peninsula, however. Under this plan they would receive upgrades to their current rail service.

Please contact the CTB and urge their support of this option. You can email Carol Mathis, the Assistant Secretary to the Board with your comments.

, , , , , , , ,