VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Construction workers with Dominion Energy began construction that will impact drivers in Virginia Beach along South Birdneck Road near Bells Road. The work is part of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project.
Monday morning, construction crews hit the ground running as they began installing ductwork for offshore powerlines.
Until May, drivers and residents will see cones lining South Birdneck Road and Bells Road in Virginia Beach.
A spokesperson with Dominion Energy said the Coastal Virginia Wind Project is one of the largest offshore wind initiatives in the United States to build 176 turbines off the coast of Virginia Beach.
Dominion Energy said this project will enhance power to customers from the Virginia Beach Coast to the substation in Chesapeake.
Some residents I spoke to off-camera said they have concerns about speeding along other Virginia Beach Roadways during the construction period.
However, Lindsay said he's optimistic about the overall project.
A Dominion Energy spokesperson said crews will be prepping the site this week before they begin installing piping for transmission lines next month.
South Birdneck Construction Overview, per Jeremy L. Slayton, Dominion Energy:
- This work is related to our 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project – the largest offshore wind project in the United States.
- We are installing duct bank, a type of underground path that holds bundles of conduit that will contain the transmission lines delivering the power generated offshore to Fentress Substation in Chesapeake, where it will connect to the grid and provide power for our customers.
- We are prepping the site this week and early next week. The duct bank installation will begin next month and continue through April 2025.
- At least one lane will be open in both directions of South Birdneck Road. Sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists will remain available.
- This work is part of the onshore electric transmission line that will ultimately deliver that offshore wind power to the grid and our customers.
- Offshore, we are building 176 turbines off the coast of Virginia Beach for our Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project.
Construction crews will be on-site from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday.