Project Update: July 2020
As Hampton Roads Transit continues to safely serve the 757 community during COVID-19, we are also continuing our important research and community engagement on the Naval Station Norfolk Transit Corridor Project. Here’s a bit of a recap in case you are a new follower or you need a refresher on the project’s purpose.
This project focuses on evaluating, and ultimately identifying, a reasonable way to implement high capacity transit on the east side of the city. The overall purpose of this project is to improve mobility and create a better transit network.
This initial process includes research and studies of alternative options to fulfill the project purpose. It also includes input from various community members and leaders to make sure that this project is inclusive and equitable. Once this phase is completed, it will proceed as a “Build” Alternative for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The main goal of this work is to advance this project into the Federal Transit Association's Project Development process under the Capital Investment Grant Program. Thus far, the project team continues to research these different options and solicit input from the project's various advisory committees, as well as substantial community input via multiple open house events prior to the COVID-19 crisis.
Today we have two very important updates to present:
1) Purpose and Needs - Interactive Story Map
A key component and requirement of the Naval Station Norfolk Transit Corridor Project is providing a clear Purpose and Needs statement. Not only does this aid in meeting NEPA guidelines, but it also provides the public with a top-to-bottom explanation of the project as a whole. To help make this statement interactive and easy for you to review, the project team has put together a graphic-driven "Story Map" to guide you through the statement. Within this guide you'll find:
Why Hampton Roads Transit is conducting this project
Overall goals and priorities for the project team
The problem(s) that the project aims to solve/address
Click here to explore the story map.
2) Existing Conditions Report
The Existing Conditions report describes baseline conditions in the study area. The report details the existing demographic, economic (jobs), traffic, transit, and related conditions, as well as land use plans in the project study area. This report provides evidence of the project needs and establishes the starting point from which to measure impacts of the project in the future.
Click here to review the Existing Conditions Report
If you have any questions about these materials or any other project-related concerns, please reach out to the project team.