Hampton Roads Transit is still in the relatively early phases of bringing “light rail on rubber tires” to the Peninsula, and the pandemic there were still some delays to the process because of the pandemic.
HRT had planned to discuss bus rapid transit with the Hampton and Newport News city councils in the spring and had plans for public meetings. Sam Sink, HRT’s transit development planner, said the organization will be coming to the councils in the coming months and is developing a strategy to reach residents.
Bus rapid transit is part of public transportation systems in many cities in the United States - common features include dedicated bus lanes, priority at stoplights and raised platforms for boarding and departing buses. Sink said the new system would create more reliable and frequent connections, benefiting other investments the cities have made along what are already busy corridors.
In 2017, residents of Hampton and Newport News helped develop ideas for bus rapid transit at a series of open houses, which informed plans by HRT and the cities. They indicated they preferred a route running down Jefferson Avenue and route that connects the downtown areas of Newport News and Hampton and largely travels along Mercury Boulevard.
Sink said HRT submitted both alignments for an environmental review from the Federal Transit Authority and that HRT will return to the councils in the coming months to discuss the bus rapid transit project. Ultimately, Sink said, HRT serves at the pleasure of the cities, and bus rapid transit will move along depending on the cities' directions.
Along with bus rapid transit on the Peninsula, Sink said HRT is considering that type of connection or light rail to Naval Station Norfolk from existing Tide rail stations on Military Highway or Newtown Road. HRT also will conduct a corridor study and exploring the potential for high-capacity transit in the Greenbrier area of Chesapeake.
Sink said bus rapid transit could qualify for federal funding programs that would cover up to half the cost of the project, along with Virginia Smart Scale dollars.
Josh Reyes, 757-247-4692, joreyes@dailypress.com
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