HRT light rail official steps down

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - One of the key players in Norfolk's light rail project is stepping down.

Jayne Whitney, HRT's Senior Vice President for Development, announced her resignation Tuesday and her last day in the office will be by the end of January.

Whitney has been in charge of many of the studies and development of the bloated Tide project.

A recent audit of why The Tide came in so over budget points to Whitney and others for underestimating the cost of light rail in Norfolk, and the audit notes Whitney's mismanagement of light rail from the start.

"As a professional planner, and upon approval of the federal funding for The Tide, I regret that I was then placed in the position to manage such a complicated construction project, the first Light Rail Transit project in Virginia," Whitney said.

The news of her retirement broke around 4:30 p.m. after WAVY News had been asking her repeatedly for an interview. WAVY.com wanted to ask her about how she got it so wrong allowing the light rail project to go $100 million over budget.

Whitney was actually planning light rail before former HRT President and CEO Michael Townes was.

Townes resigned last year due to the light rail disaster and has been pummeled in the aftermath.

Whitney has been left publicly unscathed, however, the audit points a lot of blaming fingers at her.

We wanted to confront Whitney about her performance, but she declined and then she resigned.

It is unknown what role current HRT Leader Phillip Shucet played in the resignation.

Whitney's critics say she was in over her head. The audit says that, and in the statement below, she admits that as well.

Full statement from Jayne Whitney to WAVY News:

Andy, I understand you have been trying to reach me for an interview. I respectfully decline the invitation and provide you this statement instead.

Regarding the VDOT Inspector General’s report, it has been available in its entirety for public review since mid-December, and HRT is initiating all the recommendations included in it.

As a professional planner, and upon approval of the federal funding for The Tide, I regret that I was then placed in the position to manage such a complicated construction project, the first Light Rail Transit project in Virginia.

My 34 year professional career and educational background has focused on transportation and strategic planning and development of programs and associated funding mechanisms to advance agency objectives, in my tenure with VDOT and HRT. My involvement at the national level in the review and deliberation of federal policies related to the development and advancement of major transit project investments has allowed us a unique opportunity.

I have a firm belief that in the future the citizens of Norfolk and the greater region will recognize the full benefits of the initial investment in The Tide.

After 34 years of serving the Commonwealth at VDOT and HRT, I have decided to retire. I have announced my retirement today, and my last day in the office will be by the end of January.

Sincerely,

Jayne Whitney