New Tunnel Construction: A parallel tunnel crossing is currently under construction at the Thimble Shoal Tunnel location. The new tunnel will carry two lanes of southbound traffic and the existing tunnel will carry two lanes of northbound traffic. Construction began in 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2024. This project will only create a parallel for one of the CBBT’s two tunnels. There are tentative plans to construct a parallel for the second tunnel in 2040 or later.

Current Conditions at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

For current road and weather conditions and restrictions call the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel at 757-331-2960.

Follow the CBBT on Twitter @FollowTheGulls for updates on restrictions, potential delays, and other factors that may impact your travel.

NOAA National Data Buoy Center weather conditions for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

About the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel has been described as one of the seven engineering wonders of the world. The 17.6 mile long span of bridges and tunnels crosses the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, connecting the Hampton Roads area with Virginia’s Eastern Shore.  Sometimes people call this the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel, so as not to confuse it with the northern Chesapeake Bay crossing known as the the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the official name of which is the Lucius J. Kellam, Jr. Bridge-Tunnel, was completed in 1964. Until the opening of the Bridge-Tunnel, passenger cars and trains crossed the Chesapeake Bay on ferries. Railroad barges still make the trip between Cape Charles and Norfolk.

A second span of bridges was opened in 1999, allowing for four lanes of traffic with separate bridges for northbound and southbound traffic.

The construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was a significant engineering accomplishment.  In addition to the low trestle style bridge which makes up most the the complex, tunnels were required to allow large ships to travel the channel to Norfolk, and tall bridges where needed at the north end to allow for passage by taller ships.

The Bridge-Tunnel complex includes 12 miles of low level trestle bridge, two one-mile long tunnels, two high bridges, two miles of causeway, and four man-made islands. The original Bridge-Tunnel took 42 months to complete. The new spans took 46 months to complete.

When Men Split the Sea – See a multi-media feature from the Virginia Pilot about construction of the Bay Bridge Tunnel.

CBBT Contact Information and Tolls

For Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel weather, road conditions, and weather related travel restrictions, call 757-331-2960 or visit the CBBT website.

Tolls

The toll for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel vary by time of travel. The Peak rate times are Friday through Sunday, May 15 – September 15.  Any other travel times are Off-Peak.

The toll also varies by type of vehicle and if you are towing anything.

There are discounts for frequent travelers and 24-hour round trips. Discounts require the use of EZ-Pass.

See the CBBT Toll Schedule for a complete list of toll rates, including trailers and commercial vehicles.

Restaurant, Gift Shop, and Fishing Pier

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel’s restaurant and gift shop closed permanently as of the end of September, 2017. Closure is due to the construction of a new tunnel. The fishing pier is also closed but is expected to reopen when tunnel construction is completed. Tunnel construction is expected to take five years to complete.

Birding on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Complex

Many types of birds and waterfowl can be observed from the Bay Bridge-Tunnel.  The causal observer will note seagulls perched on top of many of the lights that line the bridges, and pelicans are commons sights around the bridge-tunnel. Individual birders and and birding groups can make arrangements for access to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel’s islands for birdwatching.  This must be arranged in advance and entails very specific security requirements.  Click here for more information on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Birding Program.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Driver Assistance

We’ve had several requests for information from people who are afraid to drive across the bridge-tunnel.  According to the official CBBT web site, a driver’s assistance program is offered for customers with fear of heights, bridges, tunnels, etc.  Under this program, the Bridge-Tunnel Police Department arranges for a District employee to drive a customer’s personal vehicle across the Bridge-Tunnel. There is no additional cost for this service. Travelers are asked to make arrangements for assistance in advance. People using this service are advised that there may be delays, the length of which will vary with the time of day, day of week, and season. Contact the Bridge-Tunnel Police Department at 757-331-2960 for additional information and to arrange for an escort.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Hotels

If you want to stop and spend the night either before or after crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, there are hotel and bed and breakfast options on both sides.  There are more choices on the southern end, and more people and traffic.  The Eastern Shore area on the northern end is quieter and more rural.

Cape Charles, about 20 miles north of the bridge, is a nice little town with bed & breakfasts, a two boutique hotels, and several restaurants.

There are also chain hotels in the Exmore, VA area, about 40 miles north of the bridge.

There are a lot more hotel options on the southern side of the bridge tunnel. The Quality Suites at Lake Wright  is located on Northampton Blvd and convenient if you’re coming off Route 64.  Or, there’s always the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Resources

Official Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Home Page – Includes information tolls, fishing pier, history, etc.

Toll Schedule – Complete list of tolls from the CBBT.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel – Wikipedia entry.