Officials in Hampton Roads are concerned because no public hearings are scheduled locally for discussion of a study on a proposed high speed passenger train between Richmond and Raleigh, N.C. They worry that Hampton Roads could be left out as the nation's rail network continues to grow.

Eight hearings will be held in July along the 162-mile rail corridor. The closest to Hampton Roads are in Petersburg and Richmond. The line is expected to cost $2.1 billion to $2.3 billion.

"This is our moment to stand up and demand to be heard on rail issues," said Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, who has championed regional high speed rail efforts. "We're just not going to have some bureaucracy back-burner the Hampton Roads issues."

Major transportation initiatives can have a big impact on local economies, and by extension local property values. Homes near transportation corridors that serve metropolitan areas are attractive to commuters.

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