The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
How do you celebrate the re-opening of downtown intersections?
Close one of them again - for a party.
"The irony of that's kind of fun," said Cathy Coleman, president of the Downtown Norfolk Council. "It's only for a short time for a celebration of major light-rail construction ending downtown."
Downtown residents have endured multiple street closings for nearly two years of light-rail work.
It will be one more year before the trains start running.
During today's afternoon rush hour, the intersection of Granby and Charlotte streets will close for the council 's final Hard Hat Happening, a happy hour aimed at helping restaurants hurt by light rail and other construction.
The event will run from 5 to 7 p.m. A band will play in the intersection. Three nearby restaurants - Baxter's Sports Lounge, 456 Fish and Sirena Cucina Italiana - will offer free munchies, sponsored by light- rail contractors.
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I think...
I think that people are taking their frustrations out unfairly on this particular article. It's not smart to come on here complaining about the light rail itself, as this is an article for the street closure. I mean, who cares, our tax dollars get used all the time for benefits and the like.
If you want to discuss the light rail -- I think some people that have a problem with it, such as myself, have a problem not because it cost us money or will be empty... but it's stupid.
Stupid. The length it runs is useless. I could drive that stretch in probably 7-8 minutes, considering I can get from Indian River (Campostella side) to Dominion Tower via Tidewater Drive in 7 minutes if I hit green lights. So why would I drive to Curlew to get on the rail, to get off at a stop... and then walk 10-15 minutes to my work? Being a single female, the idea of walking by myself in the winter, when I get out of work and it's dark already, is not a good one for me.
This city/area is not designed for public transport. It never was. I don't understand what they are trying to accomplish with this. When it extends, I can sort of see the use. But right now, it's a waste of money. The damn thing runs rig
Complainers
It is sad to see so many people want to complain about this light rail system. Unfortunately some people always look for the negative in something instead of looking at the positive. This is a step in the right direction for this area. I believe this is going to end up connecting the Naval Base to Virginia Beach, and continue. If the light rail system goes to the Naval Base, most likely it is going to go past ODU, which as most people know in this area, now has a football team, which did wonderful the first year. Now in 2011, there is going to have a UFL team here in Norfolk. The light rail is going to ease traffic and make it easier for visitors and tourists to want to come to our area and spend money, which helps our area financially. So, let's start looking at positive aspects of the light rail, and not just negative.
The Future Forcast
When the big hurricane return to Norfolk, Light Rail will be a heavy fix. It's coming! We have been blessed so far to dodge the major ones over the past few decades or so, but watch. Soon as the light rail is completed, and many are happy, who neglected the people in the city to satisfy their own desires, for the sake of this project, will know that it was a waste of time and tax payer's money. Lord have mercy!
Marking the end of light rail work
Good. Let it stay there. I feel sorry for the Norfolk taxpayers who will have to subsidize that steel elephant with an endless supply money. It will be like The VB SportsPlex on rails.
HOV lanes as new lite rail extender - BRILLIANT IDEA
Hats off to "A_Citizen" on idea of using the existing HOV lanes as potential extender route for lite rail to base.
Now that's thinking out of the box. Gotta be a way to connect dots on that and meet so many objectives.
a. Yea, HOV funded with federal $$ (and strings) But, reducing cars, traffic & polution thru mass transit in that corridor is a no brainer, consistent with federal goals. Gotta be do-able with more bang for buck.
b. Already cleared and has drainage. No right-of-way to buy or property owners to displace. Gotta be mad savings there compared to any other expansion route. Can go both to base AND eastward to greenbriar
c. Heaviest traffic already there!! Folk wont add a rider and leave regular lanes to drive HOV, but I bet most will just leave cars period when they see trains rolling by as opposed to sitting still on 64.
d. Natural link to an expanded HRBT (that most insist on). Expanded HRBT can now have rail lane therefore system then links to penensula.
e. Current route already near mid-town, so expanded midtown with rail lane allows connection to P-town.
There you have it a REAL regional system using an existing resource to jump start it.
Great Idea
I must say, that is probably the best idea I have heard yet for light rail. Imagine if 1 lane was used for HOV as it is currently, and the other for the Tide. Then those who currently use the HOV that aren't feasable Tide patrons (such as those coming from NC) still have the availability, but the Tide would then be a great alternative for base traffic as well.
Light rail
Funny how things have gone full circle from trolley cars running thru downtown to an overpriced trolly car running thru downtown :).
Yes, RiverParkPirate
I's just bees a's backwoods hillibillie. Ifs its woooden fores yous smarts folks I'd just bees dommed. I's woooden able toos takes cares ofs my family or notting.
Wake up Idiot and smell what you are shoveling. You think you are better than everyone else. I have news for you. You put your pants on one leg at a time as I do. I wonder just what kind of job you have.
Complaining
Some of you people would prefer the Norfolk of 30 years ago, I guess. Wonder how many of the complainers have ever been in charge of anything and had to make the tough decisions without the benefit of hindsight? This sounds like a great event for all to celebrate a vision for the future. Light rail surely needs to expand to the Naval Base and Virginia Beach, but thank God Norfolk had the courage to take the first step.
Light rail
Light Rail is not a vision of the future is is a Trolley car system. It is unsightley with its powerlines everywhere and is also the same exact system the city of norfolk tore out of the streets 60 years ago!!
Our streets still flood with a light mist but hey We have light Rail