Extensive drainage improvements are planned for the area surrounding eastern Shore Drive, from First Landing Park on the east to Lynnhaven Inlet on the west. As background, this area was originally developed without a comprehensive storm water management system (pipes, outfalls, etc.), and as a result has been impacted by repetitive street flooding during rainfall events over the years. Infill development has increased the basin’s imperviousness, and has worsened the situation. In addition, a large portion of the developed drainage basin is relatively low, and as a result is subjected to tidal inundation during storm events with higher tides. The lack of an original storm water system to “improve” and the impacts of direct tidal inundation combine to increase the cost and complexity of improvements for the drainage basin. It is anticipated that the improvements will include improved systems of pipes and inlets to collect the storm water runoff, backflow prevention devices to block higher tides, storm water pump stations, and fill for berms, dikes and diversions.
The project is currently in the analysis/conceptual design phase, which has been advanced and is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2013. In addition, a separate interim study is underway to determine if tide gates can be installed at critical locations as an interim measure. The interim study is scheduled to be complete in May, 2013.
Once the analysis/conceptual design with a phasing plan has been presented to the public for input, and a workable plan has been adopted, the individual phases will be designed, bid and constructed as available funds allow.