VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A beach replenishment project is expected to interrupt beach life for some visitors and businesses this Summer.
The Army Corps of Engineers will start moving about 1.8 million cubic yards of sand mid-June and finish late August. It will span from 15th street to 70th street.
Officials said the goal is to make the shoreline higher and extend the sand to protect against hurricanes or strong storms. The effort is a part of a storm damage reduction plan with the city.
"Yes, it's a nice place to put your towel, but it's for protection,” said Project Manager Kristen Mazur. "It's saved over $450 million in damages over the course of the project life."
City crews said people should expect for beach access to be closed one block at a time.
"The immediate construction activity should not be in front of any point for more than a day or a day and a half,” said Dan Adams, with the city’s Public Works Department.
Hotel guests can also expect some noises during the course of construction.
"The sound of the ocean will muffle some of that noise, but there will be noise while the project is underway,” Adams said.
The project costs roughly $22 million and is mostly federally funded, an official said.
City staff plans to address any concerns about the process as they arise.