Posted By HR Partnership on July 15, 2009

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has announced a comprehensive public involvement program for the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study (VBTES) that will include a wide range of opportunities for public input.

Two public meetings will be held in Virginia Beach:

1. September 9, from 6-8 p.m., at Princess Anne High School, 4400 Virginia Beach Boulevard
2. September 10, from 6-8 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street

The meetings will give citizens an opportunity to understand what the study is about and how it will unfold. The study will evaluate potential technologies, including light rail, for use along a narrow corridor that extends from Newtown Road (the end of Norfolk’s light rail starter line) to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The property, which represents the core study area, is an inactive Norfolk Southern right of way.

In late summer, a new Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will convene. It will be comprised of citizens who represent civic leagues, neighborhood associations and businesses located within ¼ mile of the core study area. The purpose of the CAC is to advise HRT, the City of Virginia Beach, and the project team on the alternatives under consideration within the study corridor. As direct stakeholders in the study area, committee members will provide a unique perspective on the potential transit impacts under consideration. For example, residents who live adjacent to the right of way will offer insights on the specific conditions faced by homeowners whose properties abut the right-of-way. Similar assessments will be achieved from business owners relating to property access. The current use of easements also will be reviewed.

A full understanding of these and other issues are crucial to any environmental approval by state and federal regulatory agencies. Public comment can also be made online through a comment form on the project webpage, www.gohrt.com/vbtes, by email, on Facebook (as Hampton Roads Transit) or by letter.

The overall public involvement plan includes:

• Public meetings in September
• A Community Advisory Committee
• Stakeholder interviews
• Presentations at all interested community and business organizations
• Webpage with news and project information: www.gohrt.com/vbtes
• Use of Twitter and Facebook social media
• Monthly e-news bulletin
• Quarterly newsletter (also electronic)
• Community event participation

“This program has a range of elements to it,” said Michael Townes, HRT’s President/CEO. “Whether submitting comments on Facebook or in person at public meetings, this program recognizes that not everyone communicates the same way. Regardless, every citizen will have an opportunity to be engaged one way or another.”

Virginia Beach Councilman Jim Wood, who is also chairman of the board that governs HRT, agreed. “It is important to me that HRT make accommodations to allow input from each Virginia Beach citizen who wants to provide it,” Wood said. “Wide-ranging public input is critical to maintaining the integrity of the process for the citizens of Virginia Beach.”

The transit extension study, being conducted by engineering consultant HDR Inc., will last 12-18 months. It will consist of an Alternatives Analysis and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. These technical studies will result in recommendations for the appropriate transit technology along the right of way, as well as ridership information and preliminary cost information. Environmental, social and cultural impacts also will be identified.

Categories: Transportation
Tags: HRT, Transit, Transportation, Virginia Beach