In July 2018, the City of Virginia Beach began an environmental assessment (EA) study under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regarding Phase 7 of the Nimmo Parkway expansion project in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and Virginia Department of Transportation. 

The study is designed to help city leaders make project decisions that are based on an understanding of any human or physical environmental consequences of a proposed project and take appropriate measures to protect, restore and enhance the environment during the design phase.

However, based on recent concerns raised by state and federal stakeholder agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the City was asked to conduct a more comprehensive environmental impact study (EIS) to evaluate project impacts. 

Upon hearing the concerns at the federal level and seeking legal guidance, City Council agreed to move forward with an EIS.

In addition to evaluating the environmental impacts of the project, an EIS will consider the human impacts of the project – that is, to the residents and businesses in the area. Residents will have multiple opportunities throughout the EIS process to provide input. More details about these opportunities will be made available as they are developed.

An important detail to understand is that a shift from an EA to an EIS will impact the project timeline and overall cost of the project, however at this time it is too early in the process to know how extensive those impacts will be. The Virginia Department of Transportation will administer the EIS and will work with the City to establish a timeline for the study. 

The full financial impact isn’t known at this time as it will depend on market conditions related to the cost of construction materials at the conclusion of the EIS period.

The City understands that this road project impacts not only the Virginia Beach residential community, but vacation property owners, visitors, environmental groups, and the businesses who operate in the Nimmo Parkway vicinity. 

While increased costs and delays to the project are most likely inevitable, City leaders hope that an EIS study will provide assurance to constituents that the project will have the most successful outcome.

The City’s goal is to be transparent about the status of the project, the effects of changes mid-way through the project and any timeline or budget adjustments. As more information becomes available, updates will be posted online.