March 6, 2009: The Virginian-Pilot "Va. Beach to get $20M from state to buy possible light-rail line"
Submitted by VHSR on March 6, 2009 - 3:00am.
Rail News
The city is about to receive a $20 million state grant to help buy the old Norfolk Southern rail line right of way, which long has been coveted for light rail.
The money means the city will have the $40 million the railroad wants for the land. A deal for the 66-foot-wide corridor is expected to be announced next week.
The 10.6-mile rail line, an extension of the Norfolk Tide route that's under construction in Norfolk, runs east and west across the Beach from Newtown Road to Birdneck Road. If light rail is built, stops along the way could link Norfolk to Town Center and the resort area.