HRT to host Community Open Houses and Pop-Up Events on Extending Light Rail in Norfolk

NORFOLK, VA - Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), in partnership with transit consultants Michael Baker International and STV Inc., is hosting a series of open houses and pop-up events for the community to learn about the study to extend The Tide light rail to the Military Circle Redevelopment Area.

Meeting times and locations are as follows:

• Monday, March 20, Open House, 6-8 p.m. at Springhill Suites, 6350 Newtown Road
• Wednesday, March 22, Pop-Up Event, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Military Circle Transfer Center, Ring Road - outside the former Macy's
• Wednesday, March 22, Open House, 5-7 p.m. at Elegant Affairs, 930 N. Military Highway
• Saturday, March 25, Pop-Up Event, 9-11 a.m. at Newtown Road Park & Ride, 135 Kempsville Road

The purpose of these events is to give the community the opportunity to view the proposed alignment, learn about potential station features, and discuss the feasibility of extending light rail. The public is invited to attend and meet with members of the project team and provide input.

"HRT is looking forward to sharing with the community our progress on the study and the initial proposed alignment," said William E. Harrell, President and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit. "The proposed light rail extension would enhance transit options for commuters in Norfolk, provided the City decides to move forward with the project in the future."

The project would extend light rail approximately 2-miles from its current eastern terminus at the Newtown Road station to the proposed mixed-use development at Military Circle. It would include two additional stations: one serving Sentara Leigh Hospital and the supporting medical campuses in the Kempsville Road area; and one serving a new end of line station at Military Circle.

To learn more, visit: www.navalstationnorfolktransit.com

About the Light Rail Study

The light rail study began in 2019 to lay the foundation for an expansion of high-capacity transit in Hampton Roads. In Fall 2021, the agency recommended conducting an environmental analysis to advance a light rail extension from the Newtown Road Station to Military Circle as part of Phase 1 and advance a possible Bus Rapid Transit line to Naval Station Norfolk in a future phase. HRT continues to host a series of engagements with the public and various stakeholders.

The purpose of this transit connection is to increase mobility choice, improve access between activity centers and neighborhoods, and help meet the region's needs for a time-competitive, flood-resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to automobiles.

For more information on transit services, visit gohrt.com.