By Aaron Applegate, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
Mar. 12--VIRGINIA BEACH -- Mayor Will Sessoms is scheduled today to announce a deal on the city's purchase of the old Norfolk Southern rail line, a corridor city officials have pursued for years as a possible light-rail route.
The city has assembled $40 million to buy the 10.6-mile right of way, which runs east and west across the Beach from Newtown Road to Birdneck Road.
The line is an extension of the Norfolk Tide route under construction in Norfolk. If light rail is built, stops along the way could link Norfolk to Town Center and the resort area.
During a lunch speech Wednesday at the Norfolk law offices of Kaufman & Canoles, Sessoms told bankers and lawyers he would make a "nice announcement" to day on the purchase of the right of way.
A $20 million state grant gave city officials the final chunk of money needed to pay Norfolk Southern. Under the deal, the City Council has agreed to pitch in $10 million; Hampton Roads Transit, the regional transportation agency, is putting up $5 million; and $5 million will come from easement payments.
A Norfolk Southern spokesman declined to comment but said company officials will be at today's 10:30 a.m. announcement at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
It's scheduled to precede Sessoms' first State of the City speech.
Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, who also spoke at the law firm luncheon, said of Sessoms, "I'm thrilled to hear the mayor is so supportive of light rail."
Norfolk paid the rail company $5 million for its five -mile segment and gave the company a $2.6 million parking discount in city garages, bringing the total package to $7.6 million, or $1.5 million per mile.
At $40 million, the Virginia Beach segment will cost $3.8 million per mile, more than double the price for Norfolk's line.
HRT is expected to soon choose a consultant to do a study on light rail in the Beach.
A majority of City Council members have said they want a referendum on light rail. Voters defeated the concept in 1999.
Sessoms said earlier this week that he made a "mistake" when he pledged during the campaign to hold another referendum on light rail.
Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com
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