NORFOLK – The first tracks for Norfolk’s light rail system are in place.

Courtesy HRT

Workers for G. W. Peoples, Inc. lay the first tracks for Norfolk's light rail system at Bristol Avenue.

The double set of tracks, embedded in concrete, was put down Wednesday at Bristol Avenue and is designed for road crossings, Hampton Roads Transit officials said.

Contractors will place the final pavement course between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Thursday so vehiclescan use the Bristol Avenue crossing. It should open to traffic on Friday, weather permitting.

Nine intersections east of Harbor Park will use the pre-cast rail panels used at Bristol Avenue – Industrial Park, Kidd Blvd., Military Highway Frontage Road, Corporate Blvd., Huntsman Road, Ingleside Road and Ballentine Blvd.

Other stretches will have the traditional tracks with wooden ties; some will be set in ballast and others will be put into the street.

Work continues on the 7-mile system and plans are being finalized for some phases, including the January demolition of Kirn Memorial Library in downtown Norfolk, HRT says.

Light rail, called The Tide, will run from Eastern Virginia Medical Center to the Virginia Beach line. It will have 11 stations with uniformed officers along the route with four park-and-ride locations.

It’s estimated to be up and running in 2010.

Construction of The Tide requires the city to acquire property along the route. On December 10 at 10:00 a.m., there will be a public hearing about seizing several tracts by eminent domain.