Virginia Beach voters’ rejection of a light-rail referendum on Tuesday may have a ripple effect on developing that type of mass transit system around Hampton Roads.

The referendum, rejected 55 percent to 45 percent, would have allowed for continued study of a light-rail link between Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Beach voters were asked: “Should the City Council adopt an ordinance approving the development and financing of the proposed Virginia Beach-Norfolk- Naval Base-Light Rail transit project?” Hampton Roads Transit proposed building a system that would stretch from downtown Norfolk to the Virginia Beach oceanfront, and then possibly extend to the Norfolk Naval Station.

“It certainly doesn’t help the Peninsula’s chances,” said Michael Townes, executive director of Hampton Roads Transit, referring to the Virginia Beach vote. “I don’t think it hurts them tremendously.” Townes noted that Hampton Roads Transit’s board is scheduled to take another step in studying a light-rail system that would run along the CSX corridor on the Peninsula.

Many regional leaders have focused on light rail as one potential cure for the region’s transportation ills. In the bigger picture, they see a chance to link light-rail systems on the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads through dedicated lanes on the planned third crossing.

Opponents cited a range of objections, including the project’s price tag and skepticism that enough residents would use the system to justify the cost.

Virginia Beach’s “no” vote doesn’t necessarily scuttle the idea of a regional light-rail system, but it does remove the most populous city in Virginia from the equation.

Dwight Farmer, a transportation expert with the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, said the Virginia Beach vote’s results didn’t change a couple of fundamental questions about creating a light-rail system: whether there would be demand for it and whether the system would be affordable. The third crossing still would offer a way to connect a system across the water, regardless of whether Virginia Beach is involved.

Farmer said proponents of light rail might start looking at other combinations of cities to create a light-rail system in South Hampton Roads: for example, a link from Norfolk to Chesapeake, Norfolk to Portsmouth, or to both of those cities. Ridership demand and cost will still be the main questions, he said.

Townes said he’s pleased the region’s leaders are focusing improving transportation, even if they don’t agree on how to tackle the problem. But he said he recognizes that if light rail emerges as a solution, Virginia Beach won’t be a partner in that approach. “Clearly, Virginia Beach has spoken,” he said.

Matt Glynn can be reached at 247-4969 or by e-mail at mglynn@dailypress.com