High-Speed Rail Recommended In Norfolk

According to WAVY, the probability of high-speed rail from Hampton Roads to Richmond increased significantly last week when federal and state officials announced the final environmental impact statements for various routes connecting the Hampton Roads area to Richmond and the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor.

Potential Multi-Modal Transportation Center at Harbor Park

CC Image courtesy of Norfolk Department of Development

The recommended route is a a 90-to-110 mile per hour alignment from Norfolk through Petersburg to Richmond.  In addition, the route would keep Amtrak's current service from Newport News through Williamsburg. Both of these routes would then connect to the Southeast High Speed Rail corridor in Richmond, allowing passengers to travel up and down the east coast.

Construction is scheduled to begin on the Norfolk Amtrak station near Harbor Park in October.  The ultimate plan is for a multi-modal station to include rail, light rail, bus, cab, and ferry services.