A resolution introduced by Del. Alex Askew to study the feasibility of bringing light rail to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront was tabled this week, though light rail is listed in another proposal about regional transit.
That resolution seeks a two-year study that is greater in scope, but the inclusion of light rail concerns officials in Virginia Beach.
Some said the city won’t back it if extending light rail is still on the table.
A decade ago, referendum voters opposed bringing The Tide from Newtown Road Station to Town Center. Right-of-way where tracks could have gone is slated for the 12-mile Virginia Beach Trail project.
Askew told WHRO there may be confusion about what a regional study could accomplish.
He said amendments made this week to the regional study resolution would extend the study’s time frame to look at long-term sustainability for public transit providers. New language wasn’t just about light rail but talks about “all modes” of service, such as buses, ferries, light rail, microtransit, trolleys and more.
Askew is a Virginia Beach Democrat who represents parts of that city and Norfolk. He said the regional study might look at where light rail can go but the focus isn’t the Oceanfront — though he believes that would be discussed.
“It'll be a broad-based, wide look at the best future path of Hampton Roads Transit, including funding, and really where the riders are and what would increase our ridership,” Askew said.
In addition to Hampton Roads Transit, a work group established by the resolution would include Suffolk Transit, Williamsburg Area Transit Authority and other agencies.
On Tuesday in Virginia Beach, City Manager Patrick Duhaney said the city faced a “quagmire” between supporting transportation and including light rail.
Brent McKenzie, the city legislative affairs director, told City Council the study under consideration doesn’t specify taking light rail to the Oceanfront and he’s been assured there’s no intention of interfering with the Virginia Beach Trail.
Referencing the 2016 referendum, Councilmember Stacy Cummings said the city shouldn’t support the resolution if light rail is involved.
Some wanted that opposition relayed to lawmakers.
Mayor Bobby Dyer said the city could “go forward with it, you know, sans the light rail.”
Councilmember Amelia Ross-Hammond, who serves on the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, said the regional study is meant to emulate Northern Virginia’s efforts to improve and sustain transit.
She said city staff would communicate Virginia Beach’s concerns.
“That’s where they almost wanted to kick it out,” Ross-Hammond said after the meeting Tuesday. “But I said, you know, don’t kick it out yet. Give it a chance to have that study.”
