The Virginian-Pilot
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NORFOLK
To avoid further cost overruns and delays, light-rail contractors downtown will work double shifts until 2:30 a.m. to complete laying track by midsummer.
Near residences and hotels, however, work such as jack hammering must end by 10 p.m., James Toscano, an HRT spokesman, said Tuesday. Other activities, including moving equipment and hauling material, can continue until 2:30 a.m., he said.
"This is part of an overall cost-containment strategy," he said. "Schedule delays on this contract would reverberate throughout other contracts.
"With the extended work hours, the construction will be completed quicker, costs will be contained, the inconveniences to residents will end sooner."
The late-night work schedule has some downtown dwellers concerned.
" There still will be noise, bright lights, trucks backing up," said Jack Kavanaugh, president of the Freemason Street Area Association. "It will be very tough to get a good night's sleep."
The city, HRT and residents have yet to work out the complete list of acceptable overnight activities.
Kevin Murphy, president of the Downtown Civic League, said many of his members want to be "as accommodating as possible in order to get the construction done." But Murphy said the city and HRT must work closely with residents to gain acceptance of the new schedule. He said residents were given scant notice of the change.
"Urban dwellers are tough people and can tolerate a certain amount of noise disruption, but they don't want to be caught off-guard," Murphy said. "The way it was announced, it was very negatively received."
The light-rail line passes through two areas downtown where there's a concentration of residents - the Freemason area and the intersection of Charlotte and Granby streets.
Bobby Wright, a downtown business owner and resident, said that on Monday night, the first night of the new schedule, he turned up a fan in his bedroom to help muffle the added noise outside his window.
"We can't have all this infrastructure enhancement and light rail without a little discomfort," Wright said.
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
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Unfortunately, you can't
Unfortunately, you can't please everyone. Residents are complaining of the noise right now but if the crews weren't working overtime to get this done then some people will be complaining that the light rail is taking too long to complete. Either way, somebody is going to be unhappy.
"To avoid further cost overruns"
The cost estimates were based on single shift work. This is a change.
To save money, are the contractors working free on the second shift with no more charges for equipment use and all?
Good point!!! I would assume
Good point!!!
I would assume that the workers are at least getting 1 1/2 or double time?
As for the noise...one resident interviewed on Wavy news is a Pilot and MUST have sleep. For those of you who say "suck it up"....I think even 9-10pm is TOO late to have a jack hammer outside your window!
Construction noise
Going to bed at 10 pm to get up at 5 am to arrive at work by 6:30 am
A good nights sleep cannot be discounted
For Mr Wright how far away from the noise is he?
"Bobby Wright, a downtown business owner and resident, said that on Monday night, the first night of the new schedule, he turned up a fan in his bedroom to help muffle the added noise outside his window."
My Hunter fan does not generate any noise! So what is being "muffled"?
I Shed a Tear for you poor people and construction noise
Then I think of the many Hampton roads residents who go to bed with F-A18 super hornets landing just feet above there head; or the massive impact of the water brake as the catapult throws another aircraft in the air as others try to sleep. And these men and women do this just so you can cry about your construction noise or how much you hate this or that administration. So I think we should all suck it up and quit wining about a little bit of construction noise and be thankful for the truly great country we live in and the men and women who keep it safe.