Del. Alex Askew, a Virginia Beach Democrat, has proposed a two-year study by state transportation officials, working with Hampton Roads Transit and Virginia Beach, to look at the feasibility of extending light rail to the Oceanfront.
The resolution states it could relieve congestion and help tourism “by providing quick access to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront from other locations in Hampton Roads,” among other benefits.
Askew said it was worth looking at, including its potential decades from now. He said he understood that cost is an issue amid uncertain funding and there has been opposition in Virginia Beach.
City voters opposed extending light rail in a 2016 referendum.
“I think it's just a good time to look at the future of transit and transportation in the region,” said Askew, who has also proposed a regional transportation study among his legislation this year.
Virginia Beach officials said they were caught by surprise.
The city has gone back and forth over light rail for decades.
Virginia Beach abandoned plans to extend light rail about 3.2 miles to Town Center from Newtown Road Station after voters opposed it in 2016, though voters a few years earlier had supported the city pursuing light rail.
Virginia Beach has made plans for right-of-way for its path, including the Virginia Beach Trail, which will run between Newtown Station and the resort. The latest draft of the city’s proposed comprehensive plan mentions light rail only as it relates to Newtown Station.
On Tuesday, city Legislative Affairs Director Brent McKenzie briefed the City Council about this and other legislation in Richmond.
“Is he aware that, you know, we had a referendum on that and people don’t want a light rail and there’s probably no way to get a light rail in the existing trail?” Councilmember Stacy Cummings asked.
McKenzie said they’ve discussed it and would discuss issues with the rest of the General Assembly.
On Thursday, Mayor Bobby Dyer said he wished he’d had coffee with Askew to discuss the effort before it was put forward. Dyer said light rail is costly and doesn’t help most city residents travel.
“It just was expensive and impractical to me,” he said.
Councilmember Worth Remick said a study of transportation options made sense, though he felt it should look at more than light rail, and some transportation might coexist along the trail corridor.
“I think we should expand the options past light rail to other forms of mass transit,” he said Friday.
Thomas Becher, a spokesperson for Hampton Roads Transit, said the organization had not asked for the study.
“Hampton Roads Transit is always grateful for legislative, community and business support and interest to enhance public transportation that connects our region,” he said. “A successful regional public transit system is critical to the economic prosperity of Hampton Roads.”
The proposed study has been assigned to a subcommittee of the House of Delegates and may be discussed next week in Richmond.