FlatironDragados Moves Into Active Construction on $518M Virginia Beach Flood Project
According to Construction Dive, FlatironDragados has transitioned from preconstruction into active construction on a $518 million stormwater resilience project in Virginia Beach, Virginia, following two years of collaborative planning with the city.
Project Scope and Structure
The Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza and The Lakes Stormwater Improvements project is designed to reduce flooding across three low-lying neighborhoods in southeastern Virginia. Work will include the construction of large pump stations, tide gates, flood barriers and upgrades to drainage channels. One of the six sub-projects involves converting an existing golf course into a neighborhood park with stormwater storage capacity.
The progressive design-build contract brought FlatironDragados together with design partner Arcadis during the preconstruction phase. The combined system will allow the city to eliminate tidal influence ahead of storms and manage discharge flows gradually, according to the project’s city page.
“This project leverages expertise developed in the resiliency market throughout North America,” said Jim Schneiderman, FlatironDragados executive vice president, in a May 2026 news release.
FlatironDragados formed in 2024 when European construction giants Hochtief and ACS Group combined their U.S.-based infrastructure operations. The firm’s active resiliency portfolio also includes the $1.7 billion Battery Park City Resiliency project in New York City, the $251 million Hudson River Resiliency project in New Jersey and the $102 million Storm Surge Upgrade project in Port Arthur, Texas.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- A $518 million civil infrastructure project entering active construction represents a significant subcontracting pipeline. Mechanical, electrical, concrete and earthworks trades should be tracking procurement activity from FlatironDragados as work ramps up.
- The six-sub-project structure means work packages are likely to be released on a rolling basis, giving smaller specialty contractors multiple entry points rather than one large bid window.
- The progressive design-build model used here is increasingly common on large public infrastructure jobs. Subcontractors familiar with this delivery method, where scope is refined during preconstruction, will have an advantage building relationships with prime contractors early.
- Virginia Beach’s focus on pump stations and tide gates points to demand for specialty mechanical and hydraulic contractors. Firms with relevant resiliency or water infrastructure experience should position themselves now.
