VHB supported the City of Virginia Beach with critical infrastructure improvements and long-term management planning for Rudee Inlet—a man-made waterway linking Lake Rudee, Lake Wesley, and the Atlantic Ocean. Situated along one of the most dynamic shorelines on the East Coast, the inlet experienced rapid shoaling from littoral drift, creating periodic hazards to navigation despite the city’s year-round dredging program.
To address these challenges, VHB led a comprehensive Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that included a navigation study, sediment budget, alternatives analysis, and hydrodynamic modeling. Recommended improvements included sand-tightening the north jetty, adding a spur, and enhancing the south weir and rubble jetty. In addition to permitting and design, VHB facilitated public engagement, prepared construction documents, developed cost estimates, and provided bid and construction management assistance. These efforts helped the city enhance inlet performance, support safe passage for watercraft, and plan for resilient, cost-effective maintenance over time.
