Last Monday, the Metropolitan Planning Organization's Technical Committee presented a proposal for a Central Virginia light rail system to the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Commission.
The MPO Tech, a group that prepares plans for review by the MPO Policy Board, submitted the Regional Rail Concept Study in hopes of alleviating traffic congestion, which has resulted from the increasing population in Virginia.
"The recommendations are a blueprint for how various rail services may be employed in the community," MPO Chair Dennis Rooker said. "They are in several different areas: for longer distance commuters, short term rail service and better service to Richmond and Washington."
The regional rail service could benefit travelers, residents and students, but potential plans for implementing the light rail system are long-term.
The proposal "is an exploration of future plans," Charlottesville City Councilor Kevin Lynch said. "Transportation is a major issue but using rail for it is long-term."
Rooker predicted that the decision concerning the MPO Tech light rail recommendations would not be made this year or the next year.
"It is not an immediate item," he said.
Factors such as the limited population density of Charlottesville and the costs of funding the light rail system reduce the plausibility of instituting the proposition.
"Charlottesville doesn't have a density required to support a rail transit system," Lynch said.
Rooker also said he doubted that the MPO would vote to employ all of the recommendations, although the recommendations currently have no estimated cost.
"The state cuts on transportation funding have caused us to have less money today than we had three years ago," he said. "The costs of transportation will have doubled and our funding will have been cut in half in the future. We must allocate resources to ensure the best service transportation."
Although the proposal is yet to be implemented, the MPO is considering other methods to ease regional transportation.
"Transportation is primarily focused on the bus system," Rooker said. "We have a 20-year and six-year transportation plan, and we will have projects that we will try to get funded to improve transportation in the area."
Lynch agreed that reconfiguring the bus system is MPO's main concern now.
Read More
Senior VP for Operations Colette Sheehy looks back at her career at the University
By Brandon Kile | 3 hours agoSheehy’s role involved overseeing the work of around 2,500 University employees, including custodians, architects and engineers.
Will the Faculty Senate’s no-confidence vote impact the U.Va. Board of Visitors?
By Brandon Kile | 19 hours agoIn many cases, a no-confidence vote may soon be followed by steps taken to remove the leadership that may be acting against the wishes of a community.
Two senior U.Va. Health leaders quietly take new jobs without formal announcement
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoKibbe’s departure marks the end of an ongoing battle between U.Va. Health employees and their senior leadership.
