The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) is a 23-mile (37-km) long bridge-tunnel crossing the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and connecting the Delmarva Peninsula’s Eastern Shore of Virginia with Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads, Virginia. It is a modern engineering marvel and is considered the world’s largest bridge-tunnel complex. It was opened in 1965. It includes two one-mile (1.6 km) long tunnels beneath Thimble Shoals and Chesapeake navigation channels, four artificial islands, two high-level bridges over two other navigation channels: North Channel Bridge and Fisherman Inlet Bridge, Fishing Pier and more. The CBBT promotes the bridge-tunnel as not only a transportation facility to tourist destinations to the north and south, but as a tourist destination itself.
There are 2 Scneic Overlooks where drivers may stop to enjoy the views of the Atlantic – at the north end of the bridge and at Sea Gull Island, near the south end. At Sea Gull Island, passing ships may include U.S. Navy warships, nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, as well as large cargo vessels and sailing ships. The CBBT authority runs a restaurant and gift shop on the island. Fishing is encouraged from the 625-foot (191 m)-long pier, which is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Restrooms, fish-cleaning stations and a certified weighing station are at the pier.
Toll collection facilities are located at the both ends of the facility. Tolls are paid in each direction. For Toll Information, please visit the Official Site.
Here are some photos from our Trip to Chesapeake Bay.
- Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
- Thimble Shoals Tunnel
- Chesapeake Bay Tunnel
- Chesapeake Bay Bridge Fishing Pier
- Beautiful Views from Chesapeake Bay Bridge
- Chesapeake Channel
- Man Made Island of CBBT
- Atlantic Ocean from Chesapeake Bay Bridge
- Inside Chesapeake Tunnel
- Chesapeake Navigation Channel Tunnel
- North Channel Bridge
- Eastern Shores of Virginia
- Longest Bridge Tunnel System
- Mouth of Chesapeake Bay
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