Norfolk City Council Monday afternoon got the necessary money to get its long-planned light rail project running.

City, state and federal officials announced the signing of the Full Funding Grant Agreement for The Tide. The Federal Transit Administration agreed to provide 55-percent, or $128 million, to the project.

The 11-station, 7.4 mile starter line will run from Eastern Virginia Medical Center through Downtown Norfolk and along an existing freight rail corridor that runs parallel to Interstate 264 and ends at the Virginia Beach City line at Newtown Road.

The Tide is projected to carry between 6,000 and 12,000 passengers per day.

"As the City of Norfolk and Hampton Roads Community face growing transportation challenges, the Tide is an important first step in relieving congestion and fostering economic development throughout the project corridor," said Senator Jim Webb (D-VA).

HRT Website

"This has truly been a collaborative effort, showing what is possible when the federal, state, and local governments come together to find innovative solutions for the problems affecting the residents of Hampton Roads," added Rep. Thelma Drake (R-2nd District).

Norfolk resident Carolyn Bardolome is looking forward to the alternative transit option, but isn't happy with Kirn Memorial Library’s relocation.

“It kind of saddens me because I love to come to this library,” said Bardolome. “I think it’s going to be missed, but transportation is needed in Virginia.”

Students at Norfolk State University expressed excitement at the prospects of the light rail, which is projected to have a stop at the school.

"If anything, it's just going to make it easier for students to get where they're going," asserted NSU sophomore Jonathan Brown.

But, some university officials worry it could also bring potentially dangerous people. Officials estimate about 300 passengers will use the Norfolk State stop every day, which they say could cause security problems. However, students don't seem too concerned.

"Pretty much anybody that wants to be here will be here," said freshman Shaunece Jackson. "I doubt if the train is going to influence them."

"We've had really good security since last year, so I don't think it'll be a really big problem," added sophomore Ciere Jamison.

Instead, many students see the train as an opportunity to branch out from their self-contained campus life and see what Norfolk has to offer.

“We're all out of state students and we're not from here, so we don't really know what goes on around here besides what's on campus,” said sophomore Leetah Rose.

“This project is going to have a tremendous impact on the future of transportation and development in City of Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region,” added Norfolk Councilman Randy Wright.

With 55% of the project pair for, HRT will depend on city and state funding for the remainder of the construction. For now, city officials say taxes and fares won't be raised to fund the project.

Construction on the $232 million line is scheduled to begin in mid-to-late November 2007 and The Tide should begin carrying passengers in early 2010.