Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and Representatives Bobby Scott and Elaine Luria (both D-VA) issued the following statement yesterday, applauding an additional $223,871,000 in federal funding for key Virginia projects.
“This funding will advance key infrastructure projects in the region that will invest in the Port of Virginia, boost the local economy, create good-paying jobs, and preserve Virginia’s status as a leader in maritime trade and defense. We’re particularly excited to see that this funding will allow Virginia Beach to initiate its Coastal Storm Risk Management Study – an important step in protecting the community from the devastating effects of climate change.”
The projects include the Norfolk Harbor Widening and Deepening Project, the City of Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project, and the Virginia Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management Study.
This funding, awarded through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, which was negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine and Reps. Scott and Luria.
The Norfolk Harbor Deepening and Widening Project will receive an additional $72,371,000 to improve navigation and expand capacity by deepening and widening Norfolk Harbor’s shipping channels.
Specifically, $40 million will be used to dredge and widen Thimble Shoal Channel West. $32,371,000 will be used to complete the remaining features of the project, including the Atlantic Ocean Channel and the channel to Newport News.
This project received $69,331,000 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in January 2022 and an additional $83,700,000 in March 2022 through the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus.
Completion of this project will enable safer access for larger commercial and military vessels and provide significant new economic opportunities for the region.
The City of Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project will receive an additional $150,000,000 , to build the downtown Norfolk to Ghent floodwalls with gates at the Hague.
This funding will also go towards continuing designs for phases within other portions of the city, and starting on the non-structural flood neighbor components of the project.
Also, this project received $249,331,000 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in January 2022 to initiate construction.
When completed, this project will help reduce and manage flooding for major portions of the City of Norfolk through a system of surge barriers, tidal gates, floodwalls, levees, pump stations, and non-structural measures.
The Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study will receive $1,500,000 to initiate and complete the project’s feasibility study phase.
Sens. Warner and Kaine and Rep. Luria have long advocated for federal funding to support this project, which is crucial to the long-term vitality and resilience of the City of Virginia Beach and the entire Coastal Virginia region.