🏗️ Breaking Ground on 17th Street: Your Guide to the ViBe Corridor Transformation

“A safer, smarter Virginia Beach Boulevard is on the way.”
— City of Virginia Beach press release

Project Area Map & Context

⇨ A rendering / schematic of the Phase 1 project area along 17th Street / Virginia Beach Blvd.

⇨ Phase 1 spans from Pacific Avenue west to Cypress Avenue, and includes adjacent cross-streets (Cypress, Mediterranean, Baltic, Arctic) between 16th and 18th streets.

⇨  A beach access / routing map around the resort & boardwalk area.

⇨ The general resort / oceanfront area layout.

⇨ A boardwalk / street-grid map showing 17th Street’s relation to Atlantic / Pacific / 19th Street.

🔨 What’s Coming: Upgrades & Vision

Once fully implemented, the new corridor will feature:

Improvement Benefit / Purpose
New water, sewer, and stormwater systems Reduce flooding, upgrade aging infrastructure.
Wider sidewalks & travel lanes More comfortable pedestrian space and safer vehicular flow.
Dedicated bike lanes Encourage cycling and safer multimodal connectivity.
Modern lighting, crosswalks, and signal upgrades Better visibility, safer crossings, more efficient traffic control.
Streetscape, landscaping & ViBe signage Offer visual identity, green buffers, and sense of place.
Undergrounding power & utilities Remove overhead clutter and strengthen infrastructure resilience.

This isn’t just a surface refresh — it's a full corridor reinvestment to modernize, beautify, and better connect parts of the resort, ViBe district, and commercial corridors.

📅 Construction Phasing & Road Closures

Work is expected to take about 3½ years (~October 2025 to March 2029)

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Phase Focus / Scope Timeline Estimate Closure / Traffic Impact Notes
Phase 1 – Underground utilities Water/sewer line replacement; initial streetscape prep Oct. 2025 → ~May 2026 One block + one intersection at a time. Oct 6–9: Arctic Ave / 17th St intersection closure for sampling & mobilization. Oct 10–24: Full block closure from Pacific → Arctic for exploratory work. Oct 27 – Dec 23: Utilities installation, closures at both block & intersection.
Phase 2 – Electrical, comms, widening, stormwater & streetscape June 2026 → Dec 2027 2 lanes open / 2 lanes closed Ongoing work along those elements.
Phase 3 – Northside widening, drainage, streetscape Jan 2028 → Dec 2028 2 lanes open / 2 lanes closed Continues corridor enhancements.
Phase 4 – Lighting, landscaping, signage Jan 2029 → Mar 2029 3 lanes open / 1 lane closed Final touches, aesthetic elements.

⇨ Closures will be phased and localized—the contractor is required to maintain business access and coordinate closely with property owners.

⇨ Expected detour routes include 21st and 22nd Streets during full-block shut-downs.

⚠️ What Locals & Guests Should Know

Tips for Navigating During Construction

  • Allow extra travel time — shifting lanes and congestion are likely.

  • Follow signage & flaggers — they’ll direct traffic flow safely through work zones.

  • Use alternate routes during full-block closures (e.g. via 21st / 22nd).

  • Pedestrians / cyclists may find non-vehicular paths more reliable in some phases.

  • Businesses stay open! — Don’t be deterred; local shops and restaurants intend to remain accessible throughout. 

One business owner said: “It’s one of those things that’s been way overdue… I think it will open the street and provide a safe way for people to get back and forth from the Oceanfront."

🌟 Why This Matters for the Future

This project isn’t just a refresh — it’s an investment in:

  • Safety & accessibility for all users: pedestrians, cyclists, drivers

  • Infrastructure resilience (better drainage, underground utilities)

  • Connectivity between ViBe, Resort Area, and commercial corridors

  • Economic vitality & tourism appeal — beautified corridors, updated infrastructure

  • Long-term reinvestment: Phase 1 is funded via the City’s Tourism Investment Program, redirecting tourism revenues back into local infrastructure. 

💌 Stay In Touch & Learn More