Breaking Ground in the ViBe: A Safer, Smarter Virginia Beach Boulevard Is on the Way

A major investment in Virginia Beach’s future breaks ground this October.

The City of Virginia Beach is set to launch a $43 million transformation of the 17th Street/Virginia Beach Boulevard corridor near the Resort Area in early October. For nearly a century, this stretch of roadway has carried residents and visitors to the Oceanfront and to the area more recently known as the ViBe Creative District. But the infrastructure – originally installed as early as 1937 – has far outlived its intended lifespan.

Today, the corridor is plagued by deteriorating pavement, outdated utilities, frequent flooding and narrow lanes and sidewalks. With this project, the City is taking a long-awaited step toward building a corridor that is safer, more resilient and more welcoming.

What’s Coming

Once complete, the new 17th Street/Virginia Beach Boulevard corridor will feature:

New water, sewer and stormwater systems
Wider sidewalks and travel lanes
Modern, more efficient lighting
Dedicated bike lanes
New landscaping and district identifiers
Safer crosswalks and updated signals

Together, these improvements will strengthen connections between the Virginia Beach Sports Center, the ViBe District, the Oceanfront and businesses along Atlantic and Pacific avenues.

Project Timeline and Closures

Construction will begin the week of Oct. 6, 2025, with phased road closures and traffic shifts:

Oct. 6-9: Arctic Avenue intersection at 17th Street will be closed for mobilization, water sampling well installation and utility tests.
Oct. 10-24: The Arctic Avenue intersection will reopen and a full block closure from Pacific Avenue to Arctic Avenue will commence for exploratory activities.
Oct. 27-Dec. 23: Both the block between Pacific Avenue and Arctic Avenue and the Arctic Avenue intersection will be closed for utility installation.

Detours will be in place along 21st and 22nd streets.

Supporting Local Businesses

While the work may be disruptive, businesses along the corridor will remain open throughout construction. Please continue to shop, dine and support them – they are a vital part of our community.

Funding the Future

Phase 1 of the project is fully funded through the City’s Tourism Investment Program (TIP) fund, which reinvests tourism-generated revenue into projects that strengthen Virginia Beach as a destination.

Stay Connected

The City will share regular updates as the project progresses. To learn more or sign up for project-related emails, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/17thSt-VBBlvd. For questions, or to share feedback, email 17thStreetVBBlvd@VBgov.com