VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. –The Virginia Beach oceanfront is getting some added protection, thanks to a joint effort by the city and Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The district has awarded the Virginia Beach Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project renourishment contract to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company of Oak Brook, Illinois. The bid of $22.64 million includes the placement of 1.85 million cubic yards of sand from 15th Street to 70th Street.
The federal investment for this renourishment cycle is $14.71 million, or 65% total project costs, including design, construction and administrative.
The Virginia Beach Public Works Department expects beach placement to begin in mid-June and be completed by Aug. 31. After an extensive mobilization effort, which could start in early June, officials expect beach replenishment to begin at the beach’s south end near 15th Street and move northward as the project progresses.
Crews will be working in roughly 1,000-feet sections of the beach, closest to the water, and access to these areas will be closed off to beachgoers to ensure public and contractor safety. The remaining sections, outside the work zone, will remain open.
The Norfolk District, in partnership with the city of Virginia Beach, will administer the contract.
The hurricane and storm damage reduction system was originally completed in 2001, and this is the second beach-replenishment contract since initial construction. The first replenishment occurred in 2012, when crews placed 1.25 million cubic yards of sand on the beach.
This project consists of beach-berm renourishment along the Virginia Beach oceanfront to provide for a minimum elevation of 9 feet above sea level, and minimum crest width of 100 feet.
“We are fortunate to have the assistance of the Norfolk District of the Army Corps of Engineers with this important project. Protecting our oceanfront is vital to Virginia Beach's economic health and fortifying our beach just as we head into hurricane season is so important to our city and the businesses that are so dependent upon this resource,” said Tom Leahy, Virginia Beach deputy city manager
Beachgoers and hotel guests can expect to see heavy equipment and contractor personnel in placement areas. Renourishment operations will take place 24/7. The Corps and city anticipate work crews to proceed relatively quickly, only being directly behind a hotel or residential property for a day or two before moving on.
“Getting this project completed before the height of hurricane season greatly reduces the risk from storm damages to the oceanfront infrastructure, and continues to show our commitment to protecting this vitally important area,” Kristin Mazur, Norfolk District project manager.
Frequent updates about the project’s status will be maintained at the Norfolk District’s website at https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/About/Projects/VBHurricaneProtection/ and on the District’s social media accounts at https://www.facebook.com/NAOonFB/ and https://twitter.com/norfolkdistrict
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