Major Milestone Reached as Elbow Road Bridge Construction Begins in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Construction crews are moving forward on the long-anticipated Elbow Road reconstruction project, with bridge construction officially set to begin this week. City officials say the milestone marks a major phase in the overall effort to improve the corridor near Stumpy Lake.

In less than a year, the Elbow Road construction site has transformed, with a cleared path, crane activity, and ongoing grading work now visible. The project is currently about 20% complete.

Among the most significant changes is the replacement of the existing bridge over the North Landing River. The previous bridge spanned only 20 feet. The new bridge will stretch more than 1,000 feet, dramatically improving safety and flood resilience in the area.

“I would say every two weeks, there was always either a wreck or they would hit the guard rail,” said Jose Callangan, a longtime resident who lives off Elbow Road. Since construction started, “I haven’t witnessed any wrecks,” he noted.

Residents Adjust to Changes

While residents like Callangan appreciate the safety improvements, they’ve also had to adapt to some inconveniences. “It takes a few minutes from our daily routine,” he said, referring to a detour caused by the closure of his neighborhood entrance earlier this month.

Some neighbors have also reported that construction trucks have made street parking more difficult, though overall disruption has been minimal. One resident noted that noise from the site hasn’t been too bothersome. “I think the TV is louder than the noise created by this,” they said.

Pile driving for the bridge is set to begin this week and will occur during daytime hours. With summer weather arriving, officials say some residents may prefer to stay indoors during the noisiest portions of the work.

The Elbow Road project is part of a broader infrastructure improvement initiative by the City of Virginia Beach, aimed at increasing road safety and climate resilience. The existing bridge and surrounding roadway have long been known for frequent accidents and flood-related closures.

Once completed, the new bridge will provide a safer and more durable crossing over the North Landing River and eliminate a key choke point for traffic moving between Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.

The entire project is expected to be completed in phases over the next few years, with future improvements including lane widening and improved drainage systems.

City officials are encouraging residents to follow posted detours, stay updated through local alerts, and exercise patience as crews work to complete the next phase of construction.

Originally reported by John Hood in 3 WTKR.