HRT Website

NORFOLK –Money rolled in on the Tide Monday,  quite literally.

Hampton Roads Transit received nearly $19 million in unobligated federal funds for The Tide light rail project.

The 7.4 mile light rail starter line will run from the Eastern Virginia Medical School to the Norfolk-Virginia Beach border at Newtown Road. 

It is expected to carry between 6,000-12,000 passengers beginning in January 2010, according to HRT officials.

“HRT is grateful that the FTA and Congress have concluded that The Tide merits the receipt of these limited funds and for their continued support of the project,” said HRT President/CEO Michael Townes said the money will let HRT move forward with construction of Virginia’s first light rail system.

City leader and Norfolk State University officials still need to come up with a compromise on safety issues. Both sides met last week to discuss the major security concerns, and Mayor Paul Fraim says it went well.

"I think we have come to an agreement with Norfolk State in a large measure," he said. "Hopefully, by Friday, every little detail will be put to bed."

Last year, the Federal Transit Administration agreed to provide 55 percent or $128 million of the total project costs.

So far, HRT’s received $41.9 million of that amount.