New tunnel in Chesapeake Bay crossing’s future

I’ve always been fascinated by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and the views from the restaurant/pier on the Virginia Beach side. This past weekend, I had the chance to drive over two times on quick trips to the Outer Banks. At the time it was constructed, the bridge-tunnel was considered one of the seven engineering wonders of the world.

The 17.6-mile bridge-tunnel opened in April 1964 with the second bridge opening in April 1999. Plans are underway to construct a parallel tunnel under Thimble Shoal Channel with a price tag of nearly $780 million; the 5-year project starts next October. The bad news is the restaurant on Island 1 with its gift shop and visitor’s center will close. The design for the 1-mile tunnel does not allow space for the restaurant, although the fishing pier and parking area will be saved. That area will be closed for five years starting in the fall of 2017.

For the first time, a boring machine will be used to dig out the tunnel. There are also plans to add another tunnel under the Chesapeake Channel by 2040.

• Official name – Lucius J. Kellam Jr. Bay Bridge-Tunnel

• Length – 23 miles including approach roads; 17.6 miles including bridge and tunnels

• Cost of first span – $200 million in 1964

• Cost of second span – $250 million in 1999

• Bay depth at crossing – 25 to 100 feet

• Tolls – passenger vehicles, $13 off peak and $15 peak time (Friday-Sunday, May 15-Sept. 15)

• Bridge-tunnel cuts nearly 100 miles off drive from Virginia Beach to points north

• Five man-made islands were part of the project