Virginia Reliability Project
Overview
Columbia Gas Transmission’s (TCO) Virginia Reliability Project (VRP) is an expansion and reliability project that would replace two existing segments of the TCO pipeline system to continue reliable and abundant natural gas supply. TCO has been providing energy to the Hampton Roads region for more than 70 years, and as demand for natural gas rises across the region, these important updates will improve natural gas reliability and help meet the current and future needs of the Hampton Roads region.
48 miles
The project involves replacing approximately 48 miles of 1950’s vintage 12-inch diameter pipeline with 24-inch diameter pipeline with state-of-the-art steel pipe, along with cutting-edge technology that will help enhance the reliability, safety and energy efficiency along the TCO system.
Driving Economic Growth
Enhancing the system to meet existing and growing needs will create significant positive economic impacts across the region to offset the more than $4 billion lost in economic growth over the last five years due to a shortage of available natural gas supply.
Construction
We’re excited to announce the commencement of the Virginia Reliability Project. Site preparations along the project route have started with construction beginning in August and completion targeted for 2025. We remain committed to our planned in-service date of November 1, 2025.
Construction updates
Please note that due to the complexity of construction this schedule may be subject to change.
You can also receive construction updates via email by subscribing below.
December 2024
December 2, 2024
- All VRP construction has been completed for 2024. Active construction at the 2025 locations of work will resume in the Spring. More detailed schedule information will be provided as it becomes available.
- Various supporting activities will remain ongoing at all project staging areas and work zones as needed, including site maintenance, surveying, and environmental work.
November 2024
November 25, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations have been completed at all 2024 locations of work. All HDD sites have been demobilized.
- Pipe installation has been paused for the 2024-2025 heating season. Active construction at the 2025 locations of work will resume in the Spring.
- Various supporting activities will remain ongoing at all project staging areas and work zones as needed, including site maintenance, surveying, and environmental work.
November 18, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations have been completed at all 2024 locations of work. All HDD sites are in the process of being demobilized.
- Pipe installation has been paused for the 2024-2025 heating season. Active construction at the 2025 locations of work will resume in the Spring.
- Various supporting activities will remain ongoing at all project staging areas and work zones as needed, including site maintenance, surveying, and environmental work.
November 11, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations have been completed at all 2024 locations of work. All drill sites will be demobilized by early next week.
- Mainline pipe installation has been completed at all 2024 locations of work.
- Please see the map on the VRP homepage to view the 2024 and 2025 locations of work.
- Over the coming weeks, various supporting activities will continue as needed as we pause VRP construction for the 2024-2025 heating season.
- Limited construction activities will continue at all project staging areas and work zones as needed, including site maintenance, surveying, and environmental work.
November 4, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations are continuing near water and road crossings.
- Drilling activities are continuing at the HDD site on Film Way and on Meadows Court in Suffolk. Equipment and material mobilization has been completed. Drilling and pipe installation is in progress.
- Drilling activities have been completed at the HDD site on Mockingbird Lane in Suffolk. Demobilization of the site is underway.
- Mainline pipe installation has been completed at all 2024 locations of work.
- Various supporting activities will continue as needed over the coming weeks as we prepare to pause VRP construction for the 2024-2025 heating season.
- Additional pipe installation will resume in Spring 2025.
- Please see the map on the VRP homepage to view the 2024 and 2025 locations of work.
- Over the coming week, neighbors can expect:
- Active construction at HDD sites, including delivery of equipment and materials, crew transportation, excavation, stringing, welding and initial restoration activities.
- Various supporting activities at mainline installation sites as we prepare to pause VRP construction for the 2024-2025 heating season.
- Delivery of equipment and materials to and from all work zones and staging areas in Isle of Wight County, Suffolk, and Chesapeake.
- Noise from construction activities.
October 2024
October 28, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations are continuing near water and road crossings.
- Drilling activities are continuing at the HDD site on Film Way and on Meadows Court in Suffolk. Equipment and material mobilization is in progress.
- Drilling activities are continuing at the HDD site on Mockingbird Lane in Suffolk. Equipment and material mobilization has been completed. Drilling and pipe installation is in progress.
- Pipe installation operations are continuing at all 2024 locations of work.
- Mainline pipe installation has been completed for 2024. Various supporting activities will continue as needed over the coming weeks as we prepare to pause VRP construction for the 2024-2025 heating season. Additional pipe installation will resume in Spring 2025.
- Please see the map on the VRP homepage to view the 2024 and 2025 locations of work.
- Over the coming week, neighbors can expect:
- Active construction at HDD sites, including site clearing, delivery of equipment and materials, crew transportation, excavation, stringing, welding and initial restoration activities.
- Various supporting activities at mainline installation sites as we prepare to pause VRP construction for the 2024-2025 heating season.
- Delivery of equipment and materials to and from all work zones and staging areas in Isle of Wight County, Suffolk, and Chesapeake.
- Noise from construction activities.
October 21, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations are continuing near water and road crossings.
- Mobilization is beginning for upcoming HDD activities on Film Way and on Meadows Court in Suffolk.
- Drilling activities are continuing at the HDD site on Mockingbird Lane in Suffolk. Equipment and material mobilization is underway.
- Demobilization of the HDD site crossing US 58 in Suffolk has been completed.
- Pipe installation operations are continuing at all 2024 locations of work.
- Please see the map on the homepage to view these locations.
- Over the coming week, neighbors can expect:
- Site clearing and preparation.
- Pipe replacement activities including excavation, welding and laying.
- Delivery of equipment and materials to work zones and staging areas in Isle of Wight County, Suffolk, and Chesapeake.
- Crew transportation vehicle activity.
- Noise from construction activities.
October 14, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations are continuing near water and road crossings.
- Drilling activities are continuing at the HDD site on Mockingbird Lane in Suffolk. Equipment and material mobilization is underway.
- Demobilization of the HDD site crossing US 58 in Suffolk is continuing.
- Demobilization of the HDD site on Hillpoint Boulevard in Suffolk has been completed.
- Pipe installation operations are continuing at all 2024 locations of work.
- Please see the map on the homepage to view the locations of work.
- Over the coming week, neighbors can expect:
- Site clearing and preparation.
- Pipe replacement activities including excavation, welding and laying.
- Delivery of equipment and materials to work zones and staging areas in Isle of Wight County, Suffolk, and Chesapeake.
- Crew transportation vehicle activity.
- Noise from construction activities.
October 7, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations are continuing near water and road crossings.
- Mobilization will begin today, Monday October 7th, for upcoming HDD activities on Mockingbird Lane and Waters Avenue in Suffolk.
- Drilling activities have been completed at the HDD site crossing US 58 in Suffolk. Demobilization of the HDD site is underway.
- Demobilization of the HDD site on Hillpoint Boulevard in Suffolk is continuing.
- Pipe installation operations are continuing at all 2024 locations of work.
- Please see the map on the homepage to view the locations of work.
- Over the coming week, neighbors can expect:
- Site clearing and preparation.
- Pipe replacement activities including excavation, welding and laying.
- Delivery of equipment and materials to work zones and staging areas in Isle of Wight County, Suffolk, and Chesapeake.
- Crew transportation vehicle activity.
- Noise from construction activities.
September 2024
September 30, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations are continuing near water and road crossings.
- Drilling activities have been completed at the HDD site on Hillpoint Boulevard in Suffolk. Demobilization of the site is underway.
- Drilling activities are continuing at the HDD site crossing US 58 in Suffolk along the pipeline corridor.
- Mobilization for upcoming HDD activities is scheduled to begin the week of October 7th at the HDD site on Mockingbird Lane in Suffolk.
- Pipe installation operations are continuing at all 2024 locations of work.
- Please see the map on the homepage to view the locations of work.
- Over the coming week, neighbors can expect to see:
- Site clearing and preparation.
- Pipe replacement activities including excavation, welding and laying.
- Delivery of equipment and materials to work zones and staging areas in Isle of Wight County, Suffolk, and Chesapeake.
- Crew transportation vehicle activity.
- Noise from construction activities.
September 23, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations are continuing near water and road crossings.
- Drilling activities are continuing at the HDD site crossing US 58 in Suffolk along the pipeline corridor.
- Drilling has resumed at the HDD site on Hillpoint Boulevard in Suffolk.
- Pipe installation operations are continuing at all 2024 locations of work.
- Please see the construction map to view the locations of work.
- Over the coming week, neighbors can expect to see:
- Site clearing and preparation.
- Pipe replacement activities, including excavation, welding and laying in of pipe in certain locations.
- Delivery of equipment and materials to work zones and staging areas in Isle of Wight County, Suffolk and Chesapeake.
- Crew transportation vehicle activity.
- Noise from construction activities.
September 16, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations are continuing near water and road crossings.
- Drilling activities are ongoing at the HDD site crossing US 58 in Suffolk.
- Drilling has temporarily paused at the HDD site on Hillpoint Boulevard in Suffolk, and is anticipated to resume during the week of 9/16.
- Pipe installation operations are continuing at all 2024 locations of work.
- Please see the map to view the locations of work.
- Over the coming week, neighbors can expect to see:
- Site clearing and preparation.
- Pipe replacement activities including excavation and welding.
- Delivery of equipment and materials to work zones and staging areas in Isle of Wight County, Suffolk, and Chesapeake.
- Crew transportation vehicle activity.
- Noise from construction activities.
September 9, 2024
- Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations are active near water and road crossings.
- Drilling is continuing at the HDD site on Hillpoint Boulevard in Suffolk.
- Over the coming week, neighbors can expect to see:
- Pipe replacement activities including excavation and welding.
- Delivery of equipment and materials to work zones.
- Site clearing and preparation.
- Noise from construction activities.
September 4, 2024
- Delivery of equipment and materials to the project staging areas has been substantially completed. All VRP activities will be conducted in compliance with VDOT and local traffic control plans and approved stipulations.
- Traffic Pattern Change: Delivery trucks will no longer be routed through Matoaka Road in Suffolk.
- Active Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) operations are continuing near water and road crossings. Sound barrier installation has been completed where applicable.
- Drilling began at the HDD site on Hillpoint Boulevard in Suffolk on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
- Schedule Update: VRP crews are now scheduled to work seven days a week during daytime hours at all active locations of work.
- Over the coming week, neighbors can expect the following activity:
- Delivery of pipe and equipment to work zones, with associated increased truck traffic and crew presence.
- Noise from construction preparation activities.
- Other related activities along the pipeline corridors, including equipment mobilization, timber matting and other general site preparation.
- Preparation and execution of HDD activities near water and road crossings.
August 2024
August 23, 2024
- Delivery of pipe and equipment to staging areas and work zones, with associated increased truck traffic and crew presence. Significant traffic impacts are anticipated to last through the month of August 2024, until remaining equipment and materials have been delivered. Routine construction traffic will continue through the fall as work is executed for 2024 construction scope.
- Noise from construction preparation activities.
- Other related activities along the pipeline corridors, including equipment mobilization, timber matting and general site preparation.
- Preparation and execution of Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) activities near water and road crossings.
July 2024
July 15, 2024
Starting on Monday, July 15th, crews will set up staging areas in Chesapeake, Windsor, and Waverly; followed by two weeks of activities to include preparing staging areas, delivering pipes and equipment, and general mobilization. We will regularly post construction updates, road closures, and other community impacts here.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY
Engaging with our neighbors and the communities we serve is a core part of our mission. Our work on VPR is no exception. That’s why we’re so pleased that a number of people who live in the region have spoken out in support of the project and we have shared some of what we’re hearing about VRP on our Community Voices page.
Doing Business With Us
We place great importance on building and maintaining relationships with the contractor, supplier and vendor community.
Visit our Contractors, Suppliers and Vendors page to learn more about working with us and registering your business.
Join our Virtual Open House
We invite you to visit the virtual open house to learn all about this critical project, view the interactive map, and submit feedback or questions.
Latest news and events
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TC Energy statement on FERC’S approval of its Virginia Reliability Project
Washington, D.C. – TC Energy released the following statement after the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved, with bipartisan support, the Virginia Reliability Project.
VRP receives favorable environmental impact statement from FERC
On Sept. 15, TC Energy and Columbia Gas Transmission’s Virginia Reliability Project (VRP) received a favorable environmental impact statement (EIS) by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC’s findings also reflected the work of federal and state experts under the National Environmental Policy Act.
TC Energy Launches Supplier Registration Portal for Virginia Reliability Project
Today it was announced we are seeking applications for local businesses to become contractors on Columbia Gas Transmission’s (TCO) Virginia Reliability Project (VRP).
How are we regulated?
The Virginia Reliability Project is governed according to regulations outlined by the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) | ||
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Local | 1-202-502-6088 | |
Toll-Free | 1-866-208-3372 |
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