Posts tagged Portsmouth

VDOT has $5 million extra?

Sep 16th

Posted by 757HR in Automotive Transportation

VDOT has $5 million to spend on yet another study? If they had spent half as much on roads as on studies, we might have a world class transportation network here in Hampton Roads. As a region, we need to focus on building a well-planned “third crossing.” Expanding the HRBT will absolutely reduce congestion on that route. The Third Crossing, however, will reduce congestion and add options for a variety of routes. It will allow direct highway access for all of the Port of Virginia’s Southside facilities. Why is this important? It is important because truck traffic will not have to use Hampton Blvd, the HRBT, or any other artery in Hampton Roads. These truck bound for the western part of the state and beyond will be able to be on their way without impacting our major roadways. In the current age of tight budgets and no money for expanding highways, we, as a region, need to make our dollars count. The current Third Crossing plan already is fairly well thought out. It includes a link from Norfolk (near NIT) to I664. It includes a parallel crossing next to I664′s MMBT. It also includes a widening of I664 and a connection to the Western freeway. When coupled with the proposed connector for the MLK Freeway in Portsmouth, The Third Crossing would allow Downtown Portsmouth to have a near direct connection to the Peninsula, possibly boosting Portsmouth’s overall economy. The Third Crossing plan also includes a plan to make it multi-modal, meaning that it could accommodate a light rail line to the Peninsula and/or a freight line out to the west. The light rail line could vastly enhance the economic appeal of Downtown Newport News, spurring investment. A freight line would enhance the appeal of all of Hampton Roads’ ports, meaning increased port traffic without increased road traffic.

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Hampton Roads Third Crossing in a larger map

The biggest question here should not be which road to widen, but how to fund the Third Crossing.  The estimated cost of the Third Crossing is nearly $6 billion (adjusted for inflation since 1997). That is obviously not going to be funded by Hampton Roads alone. $6 billion is approximately the same as the all of the Seven Cities’ budgets combined. This is the part where we need to get creative. The only way to get this built is to explore a combination of funding streams. Here is my plan:

First, we need to identify all stakeholders and get contributions. For example, the military will benefit from a Third Crossing, so they should chip in around half a billion dollars. The ports will benefit enormously, so the VA Port Authority should chip in around a billion dollars. The state should definitely chip in close to a billion dollars. The federal government is going to have to supply most of the money, perhaps 2.5 or three billion. The rest is going to have to be made up for with tolls. Of course, a Public-Private partnership could be reached that would allow the state, federal, and port subsidies to be reduced (but not eliminated). A one- or two-cent region-wide sales tax could also help reduce the subsidy from the state.

I know everyone hates tolls and taxes. I do to. However, nothing is free. Like I said, the cost of this project is the total of the budgets for all of the Seven cities. If we rely solely on the state or federal government, it will never get built. As for the HRBT, why waste $2-3 billion to build something that we may not need if we build the Third Crossing

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Chesapeake Light Rail Corridors

Feb 23rd

Posted by 757HR in Light Rail Transportation

I have had more than a few conversations and questions about light rail in Chesapeake. Back in July 1999, the area undertook a study for potential corridors for both Chesapeake and Portsmouth. I have uploaded the file from the study available here. I have also converted the Chesapeake routes into a Google earth file for you viewing pleasure. A note about these corridors: they were created in 1999. The station locations were proposed in 1999 and are approximate. A lot has changed in the past decade. Mainly, Chesapeake’s population has moved south. I think that a combination of these routes with new stations would be best. Going strictly from the 1999 study, I do not think that any of the corridors would fit the needs of Chesapeake residents. Enjoy!

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Downtown Garage Cameras

Feb 16th

Posted by 757HR in Crime

Image from PilotOnline.com

As you may already know, Downtown parking garages are getting cameras installed. I think that it is a great idea. The garages should have cameras. I do have a couple of concerns. My major concern is why they have clear domes? Everybody knows that a tinted dome on the ceiling is a camera. The clear dome simply allows would-be criminals to time their break ins to the camera. Whether you believe it or not, a car can be broken into and the criminal can escape in under 60 seconds. A few months ago, a couple of Downtown garages were hit by criminals that broke into cars and stole the GPS units out of the windshields. They would drive into the garage in a stolen car. They would drive slowly through the garage looking for GPS devices. When they found one, the passenger would exit the vehicle, smash the window, snatch the GPS, return to the car and exit the garage. Sometimes, they would hit three or four cars on the way out. They break-ins have stopped but more due to the increased diligence of patrolling police and security guards from Downtown buildings. This is not just Downtown, either. A similar thing has happened in garages in Portsmouth and at the Oceanfront. It has even happened in parking lots at malls such as Lynnhaven and Greenbrier, where you can see the flashing lights of security a mile away, making it easier to target, break-in, and get away without being caught. Crime knows no boundaries.

These cameras should have tinted or reflective domes. People would still know that they are cameras but they would not be able to see which direction they were pointed. This would deter crime. A criminal however, is just like any other businessman. A criminal will research opportunities, evaluate risk versus reward, and make his decision. The cameras and increased patrols, increase risk. In order to fight the other two factors (opportunity and reward), we have to make people realize that they cannot leave valuables in sight. A GPS is easily visible and would bring in $50 or so at a pawn shop. If people will lock their doors and hide all valuables from view, they criminal’s opportunity is greatly reduced. If you take valuables with you, you reduce the reward. Finally, keep your cars either clean or completely trashy. If you have a fairly clean car, something as simple as an empty bag on the seat or floor may look like it could contain something of value. If you have a car that is definitively trashy (like mine usually), a criminal would have to see something worth having before breaking in. Common sense and diligence is the only way to stop criminals who break into cars short of hiring your own security.

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Portsmouth’s New Zoning

Feb 11th

Posted by 757HR in Development

While the Pilot did not specifically name it as such, Portsmouth appears to be adopting their very own version of a form-based zoning code. Actually, as far as the article was concerned, it was not very in-depth when it came to explaining the new code. Regardless, Portsmouth is the latest in a long list of cities across the country that are switching from a suburban use-based, restrictive zoning code to a more progressive, form-based code. In other words, the code tells developers what they can do versus what they can’t do. The result: An easy-to-understand code that puts approval on the fast track and a city that is a much more urban, pedestrian-friendly city. Good Job Portsmouth!

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VDOT’s Budget Cut Again

Dec 6th

Posted by 757HR in Automotive Transportation

Once again, the state is once again cutting money off of VDOT’s budget. This time, however, there is nothing left but bones. In fact, as early as 2011, Hampton Roads will get zero (you read that right) dollars for road construction. Statewide that same year, Northern Virginia would receive $225 million (93.2%) from VDOT. Even sooner, in 2010, the overall budget will grow 3% despite Hampton Roads’ funding getting cut another 13% for that same year! In 2010, Northern Virginia’s budget actually increases by 5%. Our luck would not change until 2015, when we get a whopping $100 million. Of course, seeing as 2015 is six years from now in the six year budget, our actual chances of seeing anything are very slim. When are we, as Hampton Roads residents going to stand up for ourselves? When will we decide that allowing Northern Virginia rob us blind is no longer acceptable? You know when? When we decide that we are a single, unified voice. Northern Virginia can say that, as suburbs of DC, they all need the same general projects to get by. Hampton Roads, on the other hand, can do nothing of the sort. Norfolk wants money for the Midtown Tunnel. Virginia Beach wants money for the Southeastern ‘Parked’way (which is what it really will be when it is full of traffic). Chesapeake wants a new Dominion Blvd. Portsmouth wants the MLK extended. Hampton wants the HRBT redone. Newport News wants I-64 expanded north. None of the cities here realize that we all need the same things to function. Without one of our major connectors, the whole place is gridlocked. Look at any interstate when one gets all lanes blocked during rush hour. The whole area shuts down. We can’t court new business if we don’t have a reliable road system. We need to work together as one region to secure our road money. We need to tell our legislature that Northern Virginia has robbed us enough and we demand our fair share. People here complain when a city spends tax money on something light Town Center, light rail, Downtown, etc., but they seem to have no problem paying taxes to a state that is ripping us off. Its not VDOTs fault. It is completely the legislature’s fault. We cannot allow current elected state representatives to serve another term. They have not fixed our problem yet and they will never fix it. Short of seceding from the Commonwealth of Virginia, regionalism and voting out our incumbents is our only option.

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