The project supports non-routine beach management efforts including restoration, sand management, and coastal engineering studies for other City beaches. The project also provides for necessary title work, recordation, and attorney's fees associated with establishing a public interest in beaches.

When a hurricane or nor’easter batters our shores, the ocean erodes the sand. Without the "sacrificial sand" in place to provide a barrier, a storm will pick away at the shores until the ocean overwhelms the sea wall, which is why the sand is replenished. 

During the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962, Virginia Beach didn’t have a wide beach to protect our oceanfront infrastructure. Back then, the shoreline was 80-100 feet at its widest points. For 36 hours, this storm battered our shores and eventually breached the sea wall, destroying it in some areas, and damaging or destroying properties behind it.

Since 2003, it’s estimated that the City's $20.2 million investments in replenishment efforts along the resort area have averted more than $430 million in storm-related damage.

Oceanfront Beach Replenishment

The City replenishes the resort area sand every five to seven years to protect the infrastructure behind it such as pump stations, the seawall, and property that would otherwise be prone to flooding.

The most recent replenishment project took place in 2019, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) deposited 1.4 million cubic yards of sand between 15th and 70th Street, widening the shoreline to 300 feet and raising it to nine feet above sea level.

The total replenishment cost was $22.6 million, with the USACE contributing $14.7 million.

Sandbridge Beach Replenishment

The Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project partnership between the City of Virginia Beach and the USACE at Sandbridge Beach was authorized by Section 101(22) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992, Public Law 102-580 as amended.

Although the initial nourishment occurred in 1998 (100% City funded), three renourishments were able to occur as a result of the August 19, 2002 Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the City and the USACE. The PCA allows for a 65%-35% cost share between the USACE and the City for renourishment projects.

However, the Federal cost share percentage and subsequently the ability to fund the project is based on Federal appropriations. To date, a total of four beach nourishment efforts have been conducted since 1998. The total volume of sand place is 7.4 million cubic yards.​​​​​The fifth beach renourishment project took place in 2020 along the 5 mile shoreline. About 1.7 million cubic yards of sand were deposited on the beach between Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Dam Neck Naval Facility.

The total project cost was $20.3 Million. The USACE secured $3 million dollars in Federal funding for the project. The remainder of the funding requirement was paid through the established Sandbridge Special Service District funds.

Chesapeake Beach Renourishment #1

The capital improvement program (CIP) funding for the nourishment and subsequent renourishments of Chesapeake Beach first appeared in the fiscal year 2012-13 budget. 

The initial beach nourishment of Chesapeake Beach occurred in May 2018, where about 384,000 cubic yards of sand were placed along the Chesapeake Beach shoreline to reestablish the dune system and enhance the beach berm profile.

The first renourishment is underway as of June 25, 2024. The contract was awarded to Seaward Marine Corporation (SMC), to place 137,745 cubic yards of sand between Lee Avenue and the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek. The total contract price has been awarded in the amount of $2.06 million for the renourishment project. The contract completion date for this project is Oct. 14, 2024.

SMC began beach nourishment activities in the 4600 block of Ocean View Avenue on June 25, 2024. They are currently progressing in an easterly direction towards the 4400 block of Ocean View Avenue. Once SMC completes the beach renourishment east of Lee Avenue, they will then transfer their equipment to the 4900 block of Bay Bridge Lane. 

SMC will then conduct the remainder of the beach renourishment project progressing towards the western limit of project (i.e., the 5070 block of Guy Avenue). This portion of the project is currently scheduled to begin by Sept. 19, 2024.

SMC is closing between 500-750 feet of beach sections to safely construct the beach berm and protect the beach going public from the ongoing construction activities. Per the contract, SMC is allowed to work 24 hour per day, seven days a week.

Any questions about the project may be directed to Mr. Rommel Tamayo, P.E., through email at rtamayo@vbgov.com or by phone at 757-385-4511.