Newport News — Streetcars to be Part of Study

Rail Transit Online, May 2007

The city council has voted to include streetcars in a $3-million federally-funded study of transportation options for Newport News being managed by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT).  Also being analyzed for a 7.3-mi. (11.7 km) route between Christopher Newport University and Mary Immaculate Hospital are light rail and bus rapid transit.  Adding streetcars to the study will not increase its cost, according to HRT vice president for development Jayne B. Whitney.  

Initial estimates show LRT costing about $250 million while a streetcar option would be a bit less at $241 million.  For the latter, operation both in mixed traffic and on a reserved right-of-way — or a combination of the two — will be being investigated.  “There is just something about streetcars,” Newport News Planning Director Al Riutort told the Daily Press.  “People like streetcars.  People who would never ride the bus ride streetcars.”  Although funding hasn’t been nailed down, local officials are hoping to get 50 percent from Washington, 25 percent from the state of Virginia and 25 percent from the city.  The study is scheduled to be released this fall.