2022 Year in Review: Infrastructure for the Future

4,300+ linear feet of water main replaced and 10 sanitary sewer pump stations constructed or rehabilitated.

500,000 linear feet of stormwater piping cleaned as part of the new initiative to clean stormwater pipes once every five years.

235 public beach access points maintained.

3,400 lane miles of city streets maintained, nearly 300 miles of roadway repairs and 6,500 potholes fixed.

1,000+ square yards of sidewalk replacements, including the addition or upgrade of over 120 ADA handicap ramps throughout the city.

15 miles of off-road ditches cleaned.

Faster Internet Soon:

A groundbreaking occurred for a new, 119-mile fiber optic network ring that will connect residents to faster Internet. Southside Network Authority is working on this project in collaboration with all five southside cities to include Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Highest Digital Capacity:

Globalinx began construction on four subsea bore pipes in the Sandbridge area of the city. With Virginia Marine Resource Commission and City permits in place, the Globalinx investment will cement Virginia Beach’s goal of becoming the highest capacity “Digital Port” on the eastern seaboard and possibly North America.

Public Transportation for Free(bee):

The City partnered with Miami-based Freebee microtransit service to provide residents and visitors to the oceanfront a new free public transportation option as part of a one-year pilot program.

New City Hall Opens:

After nearly three years of construction, more than 300 City Staff moved their offices and operations into the new City Hall/Building 1 in April.

Library Renovations:

The Oceanfront Area Library reopened on April 18 after months of renovations to the lobby, public restrooms and meeting and study rooms.

Resilient Infrastructure:

The Eastern Shore Drive Phase 1 Drainage project within the Flood Protection Program was awarded a $25M Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant through FEMA.

Building Up Back Bay:

The Back Bay Marsh Restoration green infrastructure project was awarded a $9.9M National Coastal Resilience Fund grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

Protection Against Flooding:

Three Flood Protection Program projects (Seatack Neighborhood Drainage Improvements, Elizabeth River Wetland and Floodplain Restoration, and First Colonial Road and Oceana Boulevard Drainage Improvements) were awarded grants through the Community Flood Protection Fund (CFPF) totaling $6.9M.