NORFOLK, Va. — The US Army Corps of Engineers hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for upcoming restoration projects in Hampton Roads on Thursday.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, Port of Virginia and the City of Virginia Beach held the ceremony for the commencement of the Atlantic Ocean Channel Phase II from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the 2nd Street Municipal Park in Virginia Beach.
Construction for the final Norfolk Harbor deepening contract will start next month, in May, as well as sand replenishment projects in Virginia Beach.
The goal of these projects is to make the harbor and the beach safer for everyone.
This is a multi-benefit project. The harbor expansion project will also allow for two-way traffic of ultra-large container vessels which can boost the local economy.
The "Wider, Deeper, Safer" dredging project will deepen the Inner Harbor channels to 55 feet, Chesapeake Bay's Thimble Shoal Channel to 56 feet and Atlantic Ocean Channel to 59 feet. The Thimble Shoal Channel will also be widened up to 1,400 feet in select areas.
Norfolk District assists the Virginia Port Authority in maintaining the Norfolk Harbor to allow for deep draft vessels to call on the Ports of Hampton Roads, allowing for billions of dollars in economic impact for the region.