Deputy City Manager Doug Beaver and Colonel Sonny Avichal, district commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, briefed council members on a request for a five‑year right‑of‑entry to perform survey and exploratory work on several city‑owned parcels in phases 1b, 1c and 1d. Mr. Beaver said the request is expected to be docketed for council action on Sept. 23.
Colonel Avichal described the work as geotechnical borings (about a three‑week field effort), topographic survey, wetland delineation and archaeological investigations intended to provide cost and constructability fidelity for the authorized project. "This is not a decision document. This is just merely for us to advance the design of what was already authorized," Avichal told the council, emphasizing the right‑of‑entry would not finalize alignment or construction approvals.
The Corps and city staff outlined a timeline: fall field entry for phases 1b–1d, targeting 30% design for phase 1b next spring and completing 30% designs for phases 1c and 1d in 2026. Public outreach measures were described, including stakeholder notification, coordination with the Elizabeth River Trail for detours, schedule coordination with downtown events and flyers that staff said could go out by the end of the month.
Council members reiterated their opposition to the current alignment for portions of the project and said the right‑of‑entry would allow comparison to alternate alignments; one councilor noted the city had previously approved a right‑of‑entry for phase 1a in 2022 and amendments that extended that timeline to July 2026. Separately, city staff reported that congressional staff for Rep. Bobby Scott are seeking $500,000 for exploratory work on the South Side and Willoughby areas, contingent on passage of a federal budget.