Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Posted by: 
94RedRover
N 36° 57.976 W 076° 06.758
18S E 400956 N 4091708
Quick Description: Connecting Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore of Virginia (Delmarva Peninsula) this convenience cuts 95 miles off a trip from Virginia's Mainland to Delaware.
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 3/24/2008 7:01:57 PM
Waymark Code: WM3ERH
Views: 103
Long Description:Opening on April 15, 1964, the Bridge-Tunnel measures 17.6 miles
(28.4 km) from shore to shore, carrying US 13 from Virginia Beach
to the Eastern Shore. The structure carries traffic both above and
below the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Construction consists of
two 1-mile long tunnels, that carry traffic below the Thimble
Shoals and Chesapeake navigational channels. Two bridges connect
the tunnels and increase the expanse of the structure. Four
man-made islands of roughly 5 1/4 acres each were created to foot
the tunnels and bridges.
The northbound side was begun on September 7, 1960 and opened to
public on April 15, 1964 at a cost of $200,000,000, financed by the
sale of revenue bonds.
The southbound side was built to accomodate the increasing
vehicular traffice and construction began June 16, 1995, opening to
traffic on April 19, 1999 at a cost of $250,000,000 also financed
by the sale of revenue bonds. (No tax dollars were used)
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is considered the world's
largest bridge-tunnel complex and was selected "One of the Seven
Engineering Wonders of the Modern World". In addition, in 1965, it
was distinguished as "The Outstanding Civil Engineering
Achievement" by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
My waypoint marks the entrance to the first tunnel (Thimble
Shoal Channel Tunnel) heading northbound. Reference was taken from
the "Sightseers Guide to Engineering"