With its beaches, historic sites, and theme parks, Hampton Roads occasionally attracts visitors from the western component of the state. In turn, mountain lovers and soccer enthusiasts travel west for outdoor tours or to cheer on Virginia Tech.
A possible new rail direction may see Virginians on either side go back and forth faster than other rail options.
The state’s planned direction, the Commonwealth Corridor, would accelerate the exercise adventure from western Virginia to Hampton Roads, turning it into a seven-hour adventure between blacksburg domain and Newport News. It would offer a handful of other stops, adding Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond and Williamsburg.
“I think any additional transportation to bring other people to the peninsula would be a wonderful idea,” said Liz Parker, president of the Newport News Hospitality Association.
Parker said he hopes this will have a positive effect on tourism, which creates jobs and generates tax revenue.
“That’s what’s so vital in tourism; there is such a domino effect,” he said. “We’re excited about anything that helps keep the touring machine well-oiled and greased. “
The direction proposed in a 2018 report from several agencies, adding the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Hampton Roads Regional Chambers of Commerce. The report concluded that the new direction would have other benefits, adding reduced traffic and connecting dozens of schools and universities.
Additional exercise routes are appreciated by business travelers, said Gretchen Heal, HRRCC’s senior vice president of government affairs. Traveling by exercising can be more productive because passengers can work along the way, he said, while avoiding delays at the airport.
Trip Pollard, a lead lawyer for SELC, said the organisation also estimates it would replace carbon pollutants, exacerbating the climate, through around £15 million a year.
Hampton Roads has an above-average threat of experiencing the effects of climate change. The region is one of the most vulnerable in the country in terms of sea point and has experienced almost twice as many warm days since 1950.
“The train uses much less fuel and produces less energy than passenger vehicles, so each and every car we take off the road would help,” Pollard said. “I think we want to make (the route) a reality. “
But Pollard said many more steps were needed before the assignment began. It would require further studies and the green light from the Commonwealth Transport Board.
Del. Mike Mullin, D-Newport News, said many of his constituents have expressed a preference for more rail options across the state. With possible new directions in the direction and a new transportation hub under construction in Newport News, Mullin believes the exercise will become increasingly popular on Hampton Roads.
The new transportation hub will serve as a hub for trains, taxis and buses, and will offer more features available to commuters with disabilities.
“I think the two in combination are going to light a chimney under the passenger rail on the peninsula,” he said.
While the new direction would likely have benefits, Jennifer DeBruhl, director of the Department of Railroads and Public Transportation, said it might not be a quick task. Nearly 50 miles of track would have to be rebuilt, he said, and the allocation would be to charge about $400 million.
But DeBruhl said a recent feasibility study by the branch estimated that about 175,000 passengers would use the address a year.
“It does indeed have potential, but it would require a lot of investment in infrastructure,” he said. “It would probably be a 2040 era. “
Katie King, katie. king@virginiamedia. com
©2022 The Pilot-Virginian. Visit pilotonline. com. Distributed through Tribune Content Agency, LLC.