VB light rail study FAQs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has hired HDR Inc. to provide services for the study of the possible extension of The Tide light rail transit system. The first extension under study would connect The Tide in Norfolk, where it currently ends at Newtown Road to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront along the city-owned railroad right-of-way.

The study should be completed in late 2013.

On April 24, 2012, the Virginia Beach City Council agreed to place a referendum question on the Nov. 6, 2012, election ballot. The question will read: " Should the City Council adopt an ordinance approving the use of all reasonable efforts to support the financing and development of The Tide light rail into Virginia Beach."

Could HRT and the City Council create a different mode of transit besides light rail?
Yes. There are three alternatives: light rail, bus rapid transit and expanded bus service.

What’s the different between light rail and bus rapid transit (BRT)?
Light rail passenger cars are lighter than heavy traditional railroads, running on fixed tracks, separated from car traffic, powered by overhead electric lines. Passengers get on and off at stations, rather than in the street.

Bus rapid transit uses vehicles that look more like buses, riding on rubber tires, traveling on dedicated roads or lanes. They also stop at dedicated stations. BRT is generally less expensive than light rail and more flexible because it can run on city streets and dedicated lanes. BRT typically uses stations and pre-paid fares similar to Light Rail.

Why was this study started?
In 2008, the Virginia General Assembly directed HRT to study expanding The Tide in Hampton Roads, including to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The resulting study – called the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study – began in May 2009. It’s the first step required for possible funding under the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts Program, a competitive federal grant program that has the potential to fund construction of the transit extension.

How much does this study cost and who is paying for it?
$6.63 million. Funding comes from the federal and state governments. No city money was spent on it.

Why was the study stopped?
The study was stopped in April 2011 to get reliable ridership numbers from The Tide’s first year of operation.

When will the study resume? When will it end?
Following coordination with the Federal Transit Administration, the study is anticipated to resume in the fall of 2012, with a scheduled completion by the end of 2013.

How much would it cost to extend light rail into Virginia Beach?
There are no firm numbers because the study isn’t complete yet, but some preliminary results were released in April 2011:

• The full route from Newtown Road to the resort would cost about $807 million (in 2018 dollars). This would be 12 miles.
• The shortest extension -- to Town Center -- would cost about $254 million (in 2018 dollars). This would be 3.2 miles.

How many people are projected to ride the Tide in Virginia Beach?
There are no firm numbers because the study isn’t complete yet, but some preliminary results were released in April 2011:

• The full route from Newtown Road to the resort would attract about 5,000 riders a day.
• A shorter extension to Town Center would attract about 2,000 riders a day.

It is expected that once the study begins again in fall 2012, new ridership forecasts would be prepared.

How many stations are proposed for Virginia Beach? Where would they be?
Tentative plans call for eight stations – one each near Witchduck Road, Town Center, Rosemont Road, Lynnhaven  Road, Potters Road, Birdneck Road, the Convention Center and the former Dome site.

Does Virginia Beach already own the land for the track?
Yes, the city bought the Norfolk Southern right-of-way in 2010. This is the railroad track that runs from Newtown Road to Birdneck Road.

Could the existing track be reused?
No. Light rail requires a different type of track. Also, the existing track is only a single track. If light rail is built, it would require two tracks to allow for vehicles to pass each other. Additionally, the existing track is in extreme disrepair and would not be usable for cargo or passenger trains without significant repair.

Would the track cross major roads at grade or overhead?
Both. Preliminary plans propose bridges over four major roads – Witchduck Road, Independence Boulevard, Rosemont Road, and Lynnhaven Parkway.

Will Virginia Beach have a referendum on light rail? When?
Yes. The City Council has agreed to place a referendum question on the Nov. 6, 2012, election ballot. The question will be: "Should the City Council adopt an ordinance approving the use of all reasonable efforts to support the financing and development of The Tide light rail into Virginia Beach?” To view the resolution adopted by the council on April 24, click here.
In 1999, Virginia Beach voters defeated a referendum on light rail – 55% to 45%. A week