Virginia wants $7 million worth of safety add-ons to light rail

A state agency wants about $7 million in safety improvements added to Norfolk's starter light rail-line to enhance communications and the security of street crossings. Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation officials said the system, now under construction between the Eastern Virginia Medical Center and the Virginia Beach city line at Newtown Road, is safe and meets federal standards.

However, in a draft report dated Oct. 23, the agency recommended changes to improve how well the system will operate and respond to emergencies.

Suggestions include upgrading the communications and train control networks, installing flashers and gates at all street crossings, and incorporating a public address system, variable-message boards and emergency call centers on station platforms.

It has not been decided how the improvements would be funded if Hampton Roads Transit and the city of Norfolk agree to them.

HRT leaders said the project is already behind schedule and running over its $232.1 million budget but have not released numbers.

Some City Council members wonder why the state is asking for changes a year after federal transit authorities approved the plans and granted the majority of the project's funding.

"I'm a little shocked to hear at this point that someone is saying that what we're doing is not good enough," Councilman Barclay C. Winn said. "Why did they not weigh in on this long before now?"

"I would like some serious discussion before we spend any more money," he added.

Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot wants to know why the measures were not included in the original plan if they are necessary.

"We need real answers, real discussion and real closure on this," he said. "At this stage of the game, we should pretty much know what this project is, how much it costs, and what additional resources we can anticipate from the state and federal governments."

Norfolk is contractually obligated to cover cost overruns in the project.

Mayor Paul Fraim said he wants the state's recommendations included in the project and wants the state to share in the costs.

Both Fraim and Councilman W. Randy Wright note that industry leaders are re-examining rail safety features after a deadly commuter train accident in Los Angeles in September. The agency that runs Metrolink there last month approved about $12 million in safety upgrades similar to what is recommended for Norfolk.

"As we learn more about the experiences of other systems... we should come back and revisit these safety features," Fraim said.

"If we can do this, then I'm all for doing it," Wright said.

Michael Townes, HRT president, said most of the recommendations were part of the project early on but were eliminated to cut costs in order to qualify for federal funding.

"We don't take exception with the DRPT's work; the list of items is very logical," Townes said.

"I would say they are nice to have, but they're not required. We received safety clearance from the Federal Transit Administration. The railroad itself could run safely as configured.

"But if you're building a railroad that will expand and talking about having a high-quality system, then we have an obligation, and it's in our best interest, to consider these things strongly."

Part of what's driving the recommendations is Virginia Beach's new interest in possibly extending the line into the resort city, said Matthew Tucker, director of the state rail department.

"It's not just how the project looks today, but also the region's plans for future extensions," he said.

"The project is fine and will be safe, but as it extends farther and you operate the trains faster, some things are needed to help manage the operation and not have accidents," Tucker said.

Townes said officials of his agency and city and state transit leaders will evaluate the suggestions, their costs and funding scenarios.

Meanwhile, state Del. Paula Miller, D-Norfolk, said she is concerned about the potential for "runaway costs" and asked the City Council to appoint an independent panel to monitor spending on the project.

Fraim said he needs to know more about Miller's request before responding.

Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com