Monthly Archive: April 2009

Apr
30

We’re ticketed for a dead end in the high-speed rail sweepstakes

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WE DESERVE THE MAIN LINE

High Speed Rail is the wave of the transportation future, and President Obama is pushing it forward. California is prepared to grab the opportunity with federal assistance. Where is Virginia? More important to Hampton Roads, are we once again bickering among ourselves and missing the boat?

It seems Hampton Roads is destined to be a cul-de-sac … again. That’s what happened to us with the Interstate Highway System in the 60s. Originally, Interstate 85 from Atlanta was aimed our way, but when it crossed into Virginia it was bent up to Petersburg, redirecting north-south traffic through Richmond.

Hampton Roads was left as a dead end on I-64.

Now the state has done it again, planning to run the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor (SEHSR) from Washington through Richmond and Petersburg direct to Raleigh, leaving Hampton Roads to twist slowly at the end of one limb or another.

A much better route would be from Petersburg to Suffolk to Raleigh, along existing rail lines. This could put Hampton Roads on the main line, where it would serve Virginia’s urban centers in the same way as does the proposed SEHSR main line in North Carolina: The plan is to bend its part of the main line down to Raleigh, up to Durham, across to Greensboro, and then down to Charlotte. In the past 50 years the Charlotte region has leapfrogged us economically. The Queen City’s position on the Interstate Highway main line is one of the reasons.

Hampton Roads must not be shunted aside by Virginia again.

By accepting the SEHSR plan approved in Richmond, we have been pushed into an inter-regional fight about which spur route we prefer to the dead end. Wake up. By wasting our energies arguing over which spur — south (Norfolk Southern) or north (CSX) of the James River — we are missing the point: Hampton Roads will still be a dead end.

Suffolk is part of the metro area. Light Rail is coming to the southside and can be expanded easily. The next crossing of the harbor can be designed to connect light rail with the Peninsula. We could connect all of Hampton Roads with light rail to to a high speed rail station in Suffolk.

The region needs new leaders who can think outside the old box. Isn’t the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) responsible for regional transportation planning in Hampton Roads? We have a world-class port and pre-eminent military facilities. Why settle for a second-class rail spur to the main line at Richmond? Virginia’s largest metropolitan area and its economic development potential deserve better.

The state’s neglect of our region is a long-standing tradition. Almost 200 years ago, when railroads began to replace canals, Richmond and Petersburg successfully stymied connections to Hampton Roads, monopolizing their control of all trade from western Virginia. The first railroad to reach Hampton Roads connected Portsmouth to Weldon, NC, expanding trade routes with piedmont North Carolina and the Roanoke River valley. The Norfolk newspaper wrote editorials proposing that the region secede from Virginia and join North Carolina.

The right-of-way through Weldon could work again. If we will only surmount our differences within this region, we can have the clout to influence the outcome.

It’s time for the MPO to change its spots and break the pattern. The first priority must be to connect Hampton Roads connected to high-speed rail. The future depends on it.

by Louis Guy, a retired civil engineer and President of the Norfolk Historical Society. Originally printed in The Virginian-Pilot. Contact him at LouisGuy@cox.net

For more on High Speed Rail: http://hrpartnership.blogspot.com/2009/04/high-speed-rail-in-hampton-roads-or-are.html

Click here for the website of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor. Shown on the homepage is a map of the approved South East High Speed Rail corridor in VA and NC. It shows how NC is zigzagging to accommodate its metro areas, but VA has given Hampton Roads only a planned dead end spur.

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Apr
29

HRPDC and HRMPO Spring 2009 Publications available

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Hampton Roads Planning District Commission’s “Hampton Roads Review” Newsletter, Spring 2009


www.HRPDC.org

In this issue:

  • Hampton Roads H2O – Help to Others – Program
  • Regional Water Supply Plan
  • HR CLEAN Brings Regional Attention to Plastic Bag Litter
  • Localities Gather Data, Assess Sanitary Sewer System
  • Climate Change Impact Study Underway
  • Updating the Regional Green Infrastructure Network
  • Hampton Roads Watershed Roundtable Holds Green Building Meeting
  • Regional Pollution Prevention Training Spurs Local Actions
  • Bacteria TMDL Status (Total Maximum Daily Load)
  • Build-Out Scenarios Studied for Northwest River
  • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: A Hampton Roads Perspective
  • HRPDC Joins Regional Task Force on Ending Homelessness
  • Region to Host 2009 VA Association of Housing Counselors (VAHC) Conference
  • Update on the Hampton Roads Labor Market
  • Proposed State Budget Cuts Dissolve Disability Service Boards
  • Rural Long Range Transportation Plan (RLRP) Public Meeting Held
  • FEMA Region III Administrator Visits the Regional Emergency Management Technical Advisory Committee (REMTAC)
  • Moving Towards a Regional Capability Assessment, Evaluates Readiness Level of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
  • Debris Management – Filling the Gaps
  • Healthcare Organizations Emergency Preparedness Seminars (HOEPS): Survive and Thrive 2009!
Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization’s “Crossings” Newsletter, Spring 2009


www.HRMPO.org

In this issue:

  • Letter from the Hampton Roads Transportation Technical Committee Chair Jeffrey K. Raliski, AICP
  • Navigating the Future of the Region’s Transportation System
  • Chesapeake Regional Airport Terminal Opens Expansion
  • VTrans2035-Continuing the Journey (Commonwealth’s statewide transportation plan)
  • HRMPO Holds Annual Retreat: A Successful Step toward Regional Cooperation
  • Transportation Funding for Hampton Roads in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
  • HRMPO Selects Local Projects to Receive $41 Million in ARRA Funds
  • Draft Transit Vision Plan for the Region Released
  • The State of Transportation in Hampton Roads UPDATE
  • Roadway Travel in Hampton Roads Decreased in 2008

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Apr
29

Creating Green Jobs: Algae-to-Biodiesel Research at ODU

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In conjunction with the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, Old Dominion University researchers have developed an algae-growing farm and biodiesel production facility. They are trying to determine the most effective means to grow and harvest algae and the most efficient way to convert it to biodiesel.

From Virginia Business Magazine, April 2009

More on ODU’s efforts: www.ODU.edu

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Apr
28

LEAD Hampton Roads awarding regional cooperation and progress

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The LEAD Hampton Roads Class of 2009 is awarding a “First Citizen” and an “Outstanding Organization” for their contributions to regional cooperation and progress.
Nomination Deadline: May 7, 2009

Click on links below to make your nomination online:
First Citizen Nomination
Outstanding Organization Nomination

From the LEAD Hampton Roads Class of 2009:
How can Hampton Roads function as a commercial, educational and cultural region that thrives as a single entity? Can we maximize the use of our facilities and infrastructure to function in concert? Are we able to overcome our differences and commit to a common destiny, or will we merely identify problems and fail to effect change? Will we end up as a disparate collection of communities competing with each other rather than working together to achieve common goals?

Our objective is to salute civic and business leaders who promote progress toward regional growth; to foster effective regional leadership and initiate discussions on the most effective means of achieving cooperation between government and business; and to enhance the inter-regional cooperation of Hampton Roads.

Our hope is that this will result in a better place to live, work, and play.

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Apr
27

Hampton Roads included in testimony before the House Energy & Commerce Committee

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On April 24th, during testimony about the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 before the House Energy & Commerce Committee, the following remarks were made by Newt Gingrich. Mr. Gingrich spoke to these ideas as well during his September 2008 engagement with The Norfolk Forum:

A ROADMAP FOR MORE AMERICAN ENERGY NOW

The best way for us to get started on solving our energy needs is with the same Manhattan Project like urgency that we displayed during World War II….

We can do it all. We can do it now. We can do it for America. This is the American way. We have stuck to this belief for 400 years, and it has made us the most prosperous and freest country in the world.

Let’s apply American ingenuity to solving an American problem by developing more American energy now.

Solutions for more oil and natural gas development… (link to items 1-5 at the end of this post)

6. Create public/private partnerships in coastal states to fast track the ability of oil and natural gas companies to develop offshore oil and gas resources. If Congress were to lift the ban on offshore oil and gas development (or at least grant coastal states the right to develop the resources with a plan to share revenue with them), states would move swiftly to set up partnerships that will maximize the best use of oil and gas revenues.

Efforts in Virginia provide a good example. In 2004, two Virginia legislators, Delegate Chris Saxman and Senator Frank Wagner, learned that Virginia manufacturers were warning of the rising costs of energy because of tightening energy supplies. Once they discovered that oil and gas resources exist off Virginia’s shores, and that the state could experience rapid economic development from the actual business of energy exploration and development, Saxman and Wagner immediately designed legislation that would have Virginia petition the federal government for permits to drill offshore. In addition, the legislation specified that a significant portion of oil and gas royalties, state fees, and licenses collected by the state would go to improve Virginia’s transportation infrastructure, clean up the Chesapeake Bay, and invest in technologies related to new energy production.

The economic potential for Virginia is significant. The oil and natural gas revenue estimated to accrue to Virginia is $13.53 billion dollars over thirty years, or $451 million annually. This is a conservative estimate that could increase with technological advances.

But these are not all the economic benefits that Virginia would reap. In just the Hampton Roads area near Norfolk, it is estimated — based on experience with the oil and gas industry in Nova Scotia and Louisiana — that oil and natural gas development would result in around $8 billion in capital investment and 2,600 new, high paying jobs. These new jobs would have an estimated payroll close to $650 million annually. Virginia would thus see $271 million more flow into the state treasury in the form of state and local taxes as a result of this increased economic activity.

This new tax revenue could then be used to fund transportation projects in the Hampton Roads area and throughout the state.

Imagine funding new roads, cleaning up the environment, and making investments in basic research and development science to promote new energy sources – all without raising taxes. How many coastal states besides Virginia would like to achieve that combination of benefits? Coastal states could lower energy costs for their residents as well as the energy costs of fellow citizens across the country, while relieving congestion and cleaning up the environment.

For the full text of comments: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/04/24/gingrich_house_energy_commerce_transcript_96182.html

About Real Clear Politics: one of America’s premier independent political web sites. Updated every morning and throughout the day, it culls and publishes the best commentary, news, polling data, and links to important resources from all points of the political compass and covering all the important issues of the day. RealClearPolitics has become a trusted filter for anyone interested in politics.

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Apr
21

Another Point for Light Rail in Hampton Roads, from a citizen’s perspective

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I once read a comment on an article about our new light rail that said something to the effect that we shouldn’t compare ourselves to Charlotte, NC because it is not the same situation. I finally found the right statistic to refute that and to show why Hampton Roads is already doing better than Charlotte.

photo of Charlotte’s Light Rail

Population:

  • Hampton Roads = 1.65 (million)
  • Charlotte MSA = 1.70 (million)

Population Density:

  • Hampton Roads = 425 persons/sq. mile
  • Charlotte MSA = 500 person/sq. mile

Now, you might be tempted to think that their higher population and density contributed to their having 181% of their first year projected ridership. I’m sure that has contributed to the large ridership, but consider this:

Total Commuters:

  • Hampton Roads = 795,343
  • Charlotte MSA = 801,778

Percent of Commuters using Public Transportation excluding Taxis:

  • Hampton Roads = 1.86 (million)
  • Charlotte MSA = 1.75 (million)

In other words, despite their larger population and larger number of commuters, Hampton Roads has a larger percentage of commuters using public transit. Charlotte also faced a large number of cost-overruns and delays and even a referendum to reject the half-cent transportation sales tax (tax funds mass transit in the region). The referendum would have essentially killed all future Charlotte Light Rail. Fortunately, despite a large amount of public outcry against the project, the referendum failed by 70%.

Hampton Roads can do this. Even more-so if the Beach gets on board. I do think that Norfolk needs to look at a larger parking deck for the Newtown Road Station. Charlotte’s end-of-the-line 1,120 space deck fills up by 8:15 AM.

Russell is a Political Science major at ODU, a Hampton Roads Magazine Top Ten Blogger at 757 Hampton Roads, and a Hampton Roads Partnership Intern.

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Apr
19

HRP Member To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

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Hampton Roads Volunteer Achievement Awards presented on April 29, 2009 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.

Deborah K. Stearns, CPM, SIOR, Managing Director of GVA Advantis of Norfolk will be presented with the Lenora Mathews Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her dedication to serving Hampton Roads. The award is presented each year by VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads to recognize leaders whose actions continue to influence the quality of life we all enjoy in Hampton Roads. For decades, VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads has been recognizing our community’s outstanding volunteers who inspire all citizens to action.

To attend, RSVP by April 22, 2009 to (757) 624-2400 or claws@VolunteerHR.org.

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Apr
18

High Speed Rail in Hampton Roads, or are we a cul-de-sac?

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With the availability of more than $9.3 billion in federal stimulus money set aside for faster trains, the state is evaluating its rail options. Hampton Roads regional officials are pushing for high-speed passenger train service to Hampton Roads.

Mayor Paul Fraim has argued that the southern route makes better sense because the Southside has nearly 70% of the region’s population and a higher concentration of employment centers and military and port operations. The train could connect with Norfolk’s light rail line – now under construction – at a multi-modal center at Harbor Park. “It is the single most important transportation issue for the region’s future,” Fraim said.


Newport News Mayor Joe Frank has said, “I’d like to see if we can get high-speed rail to both the Peninsula and Southside,” Frank said. “We need to do that cooperatively, so it’s not an either-or kind of approach.”

Leaving Hampton Roads out of a high-speed rail network, officials say, would further isolate Hampton Roads, possibly dealing a serious blow to the region’s economy. The region was bypassed by the interstate highway system when the Virginia sections of Interstates 95 and 85 were built. But because the region is divided by water, serving both the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads may be prohibitively expensive.

“That’s going to be a tough vote for the region,” said Dana Dickens, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Partnership. “And it very likely could generate some difficult positions for people.”

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT ) is working on a study of the alternatives for connecting Hampton Roads to Richmond and the rest of the nation via higher-speed rail (maximum speeds of 90 mph). A draft should be available by summer, after which public hearings would be scheduled.


State officials have said that before high-speed rail comes to Hampton Roads, the Washington, D.C.-to-Richmond segment must be completed. From Richmond, the rail could go south to North Carolina or east to Hampton Roads, or both.

“If it goes to North Carolina without coming to Hampton Roads, that would be a real blow to us,” the Partnership’s Dickens said. “It’s going to be incumbent on all the 1.6 million people of Hampton Roads and the elected officials to get behind whatever the decision is on a preferred route so we do get service.”

Excerpts from The Virginian-Pilot, Debbie Messina, reporter.
Graphics from DRPT.

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Apr
17

Hampton Roads Legislative Forum at the Sorensen Institute

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On Monday, April 13th, the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at The University of Virginia and Christopher Newport University’s Center for Public Policy (CNU) co-hosted a town-hall format Legislative Review with seven of Hampton Roads’ legislators. The event was held at the Ferguson Center at CNU. State Farm sponsored the event.

The members of the panel discussed a variety of public policy issues including transportation, schools, gun control, the budget, and much more in their 2009 General Assembly Session – A Legislative Review.

Legislators taking part in the dialogue include :

  • Delegate John Cosgrove
  • Delegate Phil Hamilton
  • Delegate Lynwood Lewis
  • Senator Ralph Northam
  • Delegate Glenn Oder
  • Senator John Miller
  • Delegate Paula Miller

Here is the link to the MP3 audio file: http://www.sorenseninstitute.org/files/uploads/audio/HR_recap_4.13_0.mp3 (77.4MB, 84 minutes)

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