Section by section, light rail takes shape

NORFOLK

Construction of the city's light-rail system is starting to transform a 7-1/2 -mile ribbon of real estate connecting the east and west sides of town.

In some spots, the track's supporting structures resemble a roller coaster as it climbs up and over freight lines and a busy intersection. In others, it's more like a dirt pit as crews lay drainage pipes and build earthen beds for the trains.

After a decade of talk, the $288 million light-rail line is finally taking shape. It's expected to carry passengers in mid-2010. While contractors have been at work nearly a year in some places, their presence is more noticeable now.

Construction is occurring along almost every section of the rail route except in downtown, where utility work is just getting under way, causing the closure of West Charlotte Street and a limited closure of the intersection of Monticello and City Hall avenues.

The work is generating curiosity.

"We're getting a lot of inquiries," said James Toscano, an HRT vice president. "It's becoming more real to people - they can see with their own eyes structures that will soon carry light rail."

Interstate 264 motorists can peek at the progress on both the north and south sides of the highway. The rail route roughly parallels the highway, crossing under it near the Ballentine Boulevard interchange.

In one section between Norfolk State University and Harbor Park, the guideway is elevated and runs parallel to the interstate at the same height. HRT spokesman Tom Holden said some observers have wondered whether it was a new highway ramp under construction.

The full route runs between the Norfolk/Virginia Beach city line and Eastern Virginia Medical School.

The eastern end of the line is at the intersection of Kempsville and Newtown roads. Heading west toward Chesterfield Heights, the former Norfolk Southern right of way is being prepared for a double set of rail tracks.

Crews have already cleared and graded much of the line. Drainage features are being installed, as are concrete supports for electrical poles that will power the trains. Steel rails embedded in concrete are being placed across streets where the train will cross.

Across Broad Creek, the old railroad bridge and wood pilings have been removed and a new concrete bridge is under construction.

From there, the rail runs at ground level until it reaches Chesterfield Heights/Grandy Village, when it climbs over an active freight line then back down again under I-264, coming out around Ballentine Boulevard.

Parallel to NSU, the train bed is flat and nearly ready to accept rails. At the intersection of Brambleton Avenue, the line rises again to cross the busy road and another freight line.

That intersection closed Tuesday for what is expected to be 10 days while crews use two sets of cranes to hoist massive steel girders over Brambleton. The Brambleton station will be located on the elevated structure.

"When that section is complete, there will be a dramatic impact," Toscano said. "When people come off the interstate there, they'll be reminded daily that the structure overhead will carry a light-rail vehicle."

The track comes back down to ground level crossing under the interstate again as it nears Harbor Park. Workers are currently digging up the route at Harbor Park and along Main Street leading up to City Hall.

Construction of the downtown portion of the route - running along Plume Street, Monticello Avenue, Charlotte and York streets - has not commenced except for the two pockets of utility work.

Finally, at the western end, a new bridge is under construction across Smith Creek paralleling Brambleton Avenue as is the rail bed leading to the final stop at the Eastern Virginia Medical School.

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

 
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