(The following story by Debbie Messina appeared on The Virginian-Pilot website on January 26, 2010.)
NORFOLK, Va. — Public hearings on a state study of high-speed rail to Hampton Roads will be held this week in Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk.
The hearings are today through Thursday, 5:30 to 8 p.m., using an open house format that includes presentations at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The Richmond hearing is today at the Department of Motor Vehicles headquarters. The Newport News hearing is Wednesday at the City Center Conference Facilities, 700 Town Center Drive. The Norfolk hearing is Thursday at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, One Waterside Drive.
The Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project report evaluates several options, including: running higher-speed trains along the Norfolk Southern freight tracks that parallel U.S. 460 into South Hampton Roads while enhancing existing Amtrak train service on the Peninsula; running high-speed trains on the Peninsula while creating conventional passenger service roughly along U.S. 460; and running higher-speed trains along the CSX corridor on the Peninsula only.
The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization, which represents both sides of the region, unanimously endorsed the first option.
A draft of the document is available online at www.rich2hrrail.info and at local libraries. In addition to the public hearings, written comments will be accepted through Feb. 11. Comments can be made using an online comment form on the Web site, or by writing Public Information Office, DRPT, 600 E. Main St., Suite 2102, Richmond, VA 23219.