The Metropolitan Planning Organization on Wednesday approved Chesapeake's request for $500,000 in regional transportation funds to begin express bus service from the Jordan Bridge to downtown Portsmouth, where riders will be able to catch another bus to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
The action comes a day after the Chesapeake Council voted to close the Jordan Bridge on Nov. 8. The bridge carries 7,000 vehicles each week day between Chesapeake's South Norfolk area and Portsmouth, and about 2,000 of them go to and from the shipyard in Portsmouth.
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something rotten in the City of Chesapeake?
Remember five years ago when the toll on the Jordan Bridge increased from $.50 to $.75? That increased revenue was supposed to pay for a TEN-YEAR program to restore the Jordan Bridge and extend its life. The press release is still on the Chesapeake city web page: http://www.chesapeake.va.us/thisweek/newsarch/2003/03-06-26-jordan-bridge-toll-increase.shtml
Makes you wonder whether they really wanted to fix the bridge, or just to decrease the number of users to the point it wouldn't seem quite so bad when they finally closed it.
hey gertz
In one of your posts about openly carrying a gun you said you lived in Portsmouth, now you say you live in Norfolk. Typical Obama supporter. Flip-Flop. LOL
"Stupid is as stupid does."
What will be the cost per person per trip? What is the cost per mile? How long will the 500,000 dollars last? Why no express bus w/o stops to the shipyard? How many buses? How many people will be served?
You will never see the answers because this is another example of a poor plan and government waste. "Stupid is as stupid does."
I live in Norfolk and
I live in Norfolk, and I don't want to be taxed to pay Chesapeake's 500K due to their own inability to maintain their own bridge. Second, I know HRT has increased the price of their bus tickets, but 500K? Will that much actually be spent, and if not will we get our tax dollars refunded if it isn't?
Bus!
Why do they think those who chose to "drive" to work will now ride a bus? If they had wanted to ride a bus perhaps they would already be doing so.
Cost of new bridge
The Gilmerton Bridge has a replacement budget of $154 million according to the public works active projects list found on the city's website. Have to imagine a replacement for the Jordan would of similar design and cost.
Go ahead, Guess
Where is the $500k coming from? Where does the MPO get it's money? From all the surrounding Tidewater cities and the federal government. Yea, that's right. Tax dollars from every city in Tidewater are being spent on a shuttle bus due to Chesapeake's inept management of the bridge. Now isn't that nice of all of you. How many years is that $500k going to support this shuttle?
First we pay $230 million for downtown shuttle train in norfolk, and now $500k for a bridge shuttle bus in chesapeake. My our elected officials are sure frivolous with taxpayer money.
Snail Bus Service
The Express Bus service is a very poor attempt to cover-up the mistakes of our local governing officials. VERY POOR PLANNING!
If you're going to throw a half million dollars at a problem...
...you should really make sure you're throwing it at the RIGHT problem.
This helps the folks who live in South Norfolk and commute to NNSY by foot or bike, but unfortunately won't do a thing to relieve traffic congestion at the other crossings. If this money were invested in a Park & Ride lot and a ferry or rail crossing, it could help South Norfolk residents get to work AND reduce car traffic across the river.
Let me get this straight.
Let me get this straight. We have a half million dollars to spend on a bus service that will horribly increase the commute time for 2000 people who work in the Shipyard, by requiring them to catch not one, but TWO buses AND go through the Downtown Tunnel? But, we don't have money to fix or replace the bridge?
Is it me, or is this a really, really flawed idea?
New Bridge
Wonder how much a new bridge costs? Im sure the $500,000 would make a good dent in it....