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Virginia’s first light-rail system will open to the public at 6 a.m. on Aug. 19 in Norfolk, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) President and Chief Executive Officer Philip Shucet announced yesterday.

The start of “The Tide” light-rail service will be marked with a series of public events along the 7.4-mile route, including three days of free introductory service before the $1.50 fare begins to be collected on Aug. 22.

“The start of the light rail service in Norfolk is a game changer,” Shucet said in a prepared statement. “It marks the return of regular train service to downtown Norfolk and offers commuters the first new transportation choice in a generation.”

Shucet announced a few weeks ago that the $338 million construction project would be completed Aug. 1.

The project came in more than $100 million over budget and its opening was delayed by more than 18 months, according to an article in The Virginia-Pilot, which was posted on HRT’s web site.