By Aaron Applegate, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
Mar. 12--VIRGINIA BEACH -- Mayor Will Sessoms today announced a $40 million 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 assembled the money 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.
"I couldn't be more thrilled," Sessoms said at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, where he was flanked by local and state officials as he made the announcement.
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.
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.
Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com
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