The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Oops. Some of the concrete laid around the embedded light-rail track behind City Hall does not meet minimum standards and is being torn out.
While the mistake was made by a contractor, which must absorb the cost of redoing the job, the timing is unfortunate, Hampton Roads Transit spokesman Tom Holden said. The transit agency has been harshly criticized for cost overruns and schedule delays on the construction of Norfolk's light-rail starter line. Its president and CEO, Michael Townes, will step down later this month and retire in September.
Holden said about 700 feet of concrete on East Main Street between City Hall and Harbor Park did not pass compression tests. Crews will take 10 days to rip it out and pour new concrete, he said.
"This is more of a nuisance - it will not affect the latest completion date and will not affect the cost because the contractor has to pay for it," Holden said.
"Re-dos of one kind or another happen throughout big projects," he added. "Certainly it's not what the contractor wants. Nobody wants to have that happen. But it can happen."
About a year ago, HRT said light rail's $232 million price had jumped to $288 million. Townes told Norfolk City Council last month that the price had risen to $328 million. The next day, it was revealed that it could actually be $340 million.
The 7.4-mile light-rail line runs from the medical complex on Brambleton Avenue, through downtown, to the city line at Newtown Road. It is scheduled to open in early 2011.
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
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incompetence
Incompetence all the way up and down the ladder on light rail....just like the monorail at ODU
hmmmm
While the mistake was made by a contractor, which must absorb the cost of redoing the job, the timing is unfortunate, Hampton Roads Transit spokesman Tom Holden said.
Tom Holden....Tom Holden....where do I remember that name from?? Oh yeah! he was a PILOT reporter. From the pro light rail PILOT to HRT spokesman, what a coincidence!
Was a Fee Imposed
Ok. The concrete was wrong and the contractor has to redo it. Wasn't there a stipulation in the contract that improper performance causing unwanted delays will be billed to that contractor. Come on Virginia, enough is enough. This is almost as bad as the VDOT I-64 mistakes on the highway between Mercury Blvd and Fort Eustis. Stop the insanitity and pass the bill to the rightful owners.
Ahh...another strong reader.
Ahh...another strong reader. Please folks, read the article before commenting. In addition, there have been several posts that explain this issue. Performance bonds take care of this issue even if the contractor folds.
I just cant see the rail
I just cant see the rail working.
It dosent go anyplace people want to go to.
Who are the people taking it? Where are they goin to?
Newtown Road? Whats there?
The only people i think who would use it are the Ghent residents who work downtown. Are cars going to park at Newtown road and ride it in to Norfolk? Then what happens when all those cars try to get on 264 at the busiest time and place? What does the light rail do that buses arent?
We are going to see an empty rail car riding up and down 264 during rush hour everyday
Well, I'm going to park at
Well, I'm going to park at Newtown and ride down to the Tides games! It's convenient and should make it easier getting out of the park. It's a mistake so far, but it's still going to come, so we might as well take advantage of the money pit!
Why be negative?
I am excited about light rail coming. People will ride it. I will ride it. It will take some time for Hampton Roads to get used to the idea, but residents will begin to live near the rail line, as they do in other cities. In New York, properties are more valuable when they are near the subway line. In Washington DC it a plus if house is within walking distance to the metro. We are way behind ... so I don't think we should expect the rail cars to be full immediately. Change takes time. but there are many residents that would embrace the idea of light rail.
Oh .. and light rail is not on the road, that is what it does that busses dont do ... it doesnt get caught in traffic.
BE POSTIVE!
I think this money...
WOuld have been better served in a New or Second midtown tunnel Project!
put it towards something that will actually get some use after the first 2 months
Why be negative?
I am excited about light rail coming. People will ride it. I will ride it. It will take some time for Hampton Roads to get used to the idea, but residents will begin to live near the rail line, as they do in other cities. In New York, properties are more valuable when they are near the subway line. In Washington DC it a plus if house is within walking distance to the metro. We are way behind ... so I don't think we should expect the rail cars to be full immediately. Change takes time. but there are many residents that would embrace the idea of light rail.
Oh .. and light rail is not on the road, that is what it does that busses dont do ... it doesnt get caught in traffic.
BE POSTIVE!
dont be afraid
you rail haters amaze me so afraid of change it amazing, give the project a chance city run rail service in every other state or locality has been overwelmingly sucessful you guys are so comsumed by hate for city or the people running the city you cannot objectively look at the project. take a breath step back everything worth doing cost money and every project has its hangups, got to spend money to make money.