Light rail off track, costs rise

NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk city councilmembers will meet Tuesday afternoon to discuss light rail project setbacks.

Last week, a Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) spokesperson told WAVY.com the light rail project was halfway finished and remained on budget at $288 million.

Less than a week later, WAVY.com learned the price tag soared to somewhere between $326 and $328 million and the ride won't be ready until 2011. The exact cost is unclear and it seems Norfolk City Council and HRT's own board members have no idea.

"We don't know what these costs are and as the board, as a commission, we should be able to point and be able to say ok, this is what our cost of completion is as of this date," says HRT Chair and Virginia Beach City Councilman James Woods.

WAVY.com learned the warning signs started in early fall. Complications grew involving electrical work through Norfolk's century old streets. Changes were made to spruce up the facade of the light rail's vehicle maintenance building adjacent to Norfolk State's campus. WAVY.com also learned HRT reviewed the increase in costs immediately, but no one knew how to mention it.

"The discussion on how the price of the project would change has been of some concern to the senior management at HRT. The project managers are trying to find that right number and that has taken up a good bit of time," said HRT spokesperson Tom Holden.

Norfolk city councilman Randy Wright just found out recently. "We rely on staff to give us information and either they didn't have accurate information or they didn't share it with us. I don't think they did it maliciously, but none of us were aware of this until a few weeks ago."

The state already approved $20 million dollars to help cover the increase. HRT plans to seek other funding sources to cover the rest. It's not certain if the city will have to pick up more of the tab.

Woods said it is unclear how these recent developments will affect the city's attempt to extend light rail to the Oceanfront.