Norfolk's starter line for light-rail is starting to take shape as the stations have been designed, poles and wires are going up and the pavement around the rail has been dyed red, according to the Virginia Pilot.

The 7.4-mile light-rail line will run from Newtown Road at the city line through downtown to Eastern Virginia Medical School. It's projected to carry 6,000 to 12,000 passengers a day. The project is being paid for with federal, state and local money. Norfolk's share is $53.7 million. The state is contributing $67.1 million and the federal government is contributing $167.2 million.

This is a great addition to the area that will help improve traffic conditions making it easier for residents and visitors to get around town. Enhancements like this will improve day-to-day life for those who commute to work or school, but will also help to protect home values because overcrowded streets and highways can be a turnoff for potential homebuyers and new businesses.

"The look of Norfolk's light-rail starter line - scheduled to open in about a year - is starting to take shape.

Stations have been designed.

Electrical poles and wires are going up.

The pavement around embedded rail has been dyed red.

Until now, much of the work on the $288 million rail line, the Tide, has been in the ground. With construction nearly 50 percent complete, though, the Tide is rising.

City officials have decided on a neo classical style for the 11 light-rail station shelters that is designed to fit in historic neighborhoods, including Freemason, as well as more suburban settings, including Ingleside.

The shelters' appearances will vary, with heavier columns and finishes downtown and lighter, more airy features in the outlying neighborhoods, planning director Frank Duke said. Their size will vary as well, with larger shelters at stations that are projected to carry more passengers.

Each will have benches, trash cans, lighting and a ticket vending machine."

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