The $US 310m project would involve extending The Tide, Norfolk's existing 12km light rail line, beyond its current eastern terminus at Newtown Road, which is situated close to the jurisdictional border between the two cities, to Virginia Beach town centre. The line would use the alignment of a former heavy rail line between Newtown Road and Birdneck Road in Virginia Beach.

Under an agreement reached last year, the state of Virginia and the city will each contribute half of the funding required for the $US 310m project, with the city financing its share through debt. Annual debt service payments would come from a 1.8% increase in property taxes and a $US 5 increase in car registration tax.