(The following story by Deirdre Fernandes appeared on The Virginian-Pilot website on February 6, 2009.)
NORFOLK, Va. — The city may get some federal money to help buy the Norfolk Southern right of way, the most likely route for a light-rail line. A committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization has agreed to let Hampton Roads Transit use $6 million of federal funds toward a light-rail study and the right-of-way purchase.
The members of the planning organization will have to formally approve the use of the funds in April.
HRT is expecting an increase in transit funds through the stimulus package and wants to set aside some of that money for light-rail issues, said Tom Holden, the agency’s spokesman.
“We want the flexibility to use the money when it gets there,” Holden said.
About $5 million of the federal funds would help pay for the right of way and the rest would be spent on a light-rail environmental study, said Bob Matthias, assistant to the Virginia Beach city manager.
The city plans to submit a grant request today for $20 million from the state, Matthias said.
The total price for the 10.6-mile line, which bisects the city roughly parallel to Interstate 264, is $40 million.
The City Council has informally agreed to spend $10 million to buy the land. Norfolk Southern would continue to receive $5 million in utility easement payments.
“I think we’re just about there,” Mayor Will Sessoms said. “I feel good about it.”
The city and Norfolk Southern could have a deal to buy the land in the next two months, Sessoms said.
Virginia Beach elected officials have been trying to find enough money to close the deal for the past month.
Sen. Kenneth Stolle put in a budget amendment in January requesting a total of $25 million in state mass-transit funds to help buy the land.
Between the grant request and Stolle’s amendment, city officials are hoping to get the state money, Matthias said.
“One is the backup,” he said. “It’s belts and suspenders.”