Virginia Beach light-rail extension would cost $243 million

Construction of Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) 3.5-mile light-rail extension to Virginia Beach, Va., would cost $243.1 million, the agency announced on Monday.

The cost estimate followed 15 months of work by cities along the corridor, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and Light Rail Partners, which is a joint effort of RK&K and STV.

Preliminary engineering documents also include projected costs of major utility relocations, the legal rights of way and the professional engineering services necessary to manage and construct the project. The documents also include design drawings completed at a 30 percent level, HRT officials said in a press release.

The extension would add 3.5 miles of track to "The Tide" light-rail service, with three new stations at Witchduck Road, Kellam Road and Constitution Drive, where a new park-and-ride facility would be built. A new eastbound platform would be constructed at Newton Road.

Projected costs include the purchase of three new light-rail vehicles, a bus transfer facility at Constitution Drive, three bridges, nine grade crossings, six signalized intersections and major utility relocations.

The $243 million figure is $84 million less than an earlier estimate, The Virginian-Pilot reported.