Recently Completed

Features

Located in the City of Chesapeake, this project involved widening Route 17 from two to four lanes from the North Carolina state line to Dominion Boulevard. It is nearly 12 miles and improves safety for motorists and better serves the increased traffic volume heading to and from North Carolina and the Outer Banks.


Most of the road was constructed about 1,000 yards east of the old road location in order to limit disturbance to the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge and surrounding forests and wetlands.

There are four access points to the new Route 17, including Douglas Road and Cornland Road.

· The old Route 17 will remain in place for local access to property and recreational areas along the Dismal Swamp Canal.

Benefits

As part of this project, VDOT donated about 758 acres of existing wetlands to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as wetland preservation.

In addition to the wetlands donation, VDOT purchased about 16 acres of mineral soil wetlands, and is created about 9.6 acres of forested, organic soil wetlands within the project corridor.

Wildlife passages are included throughout the highway. One benefit to the passages is they allow animals to go under the new highway along the Northwest River.

In August of 2004, the Route 17 widening project received national recognition from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for protecting wildlife and preserving the ecosystem along the Great Dismal Swamp. It was designated as a 2004 Exemplary Ecosystem Initiative. The FHWA gives this special designation to transportation projects that develop innovative and forward-thinking ways to enhance and preserve ecosystems.

Passageways are provided underneath the elevated portion of Route 17 to promote bear migration. Drainage pipes placed under parts of the new road will allow smaller animals to migrate, while special chain-link fences guide the wildlife to the designated crossings.

Photo Gallery of Wildlife Considerations on Route 17 Project

Project Updates

Now Open!

Link to Dashboard

Schedule/Budget

Contacts

Tia.Freeman, 757-925-1515