Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel ( the official name is Lucius J. Kellam Jr. Bridge-Tunnel ) is 37 km long, one of the largest bridges tunnel constructions in the world. It connects the Hampton Roads area, Virginia with the Delmarva Peninsula (also called Eastern Shore ) on the U.S. 13 He was in the period from 1960 to 1964 ( first phase ) and from 1995 to 1999 built.

History

After a drive from the Delmarva Peninsula to Hampton Roads only with a considerable detour of several hundred kilometers to the Chesapeake Bay was connected to a ferry for the more direct approximately 30 km long crossing was established in the period from 1930 to 1954. With increasing levels of traffic this was soon overloaded and time no longer attractive. 1954, the construction of a fixed link was decided. Construction began on September 7, 1960, the opening took place on 15 April 1964.

Began in 1995 to large capacity with a second construction phase due to the, which doubled the number of lanes. This was completed in 1999.

Awards

• American Society of Civil Engineers 1965 award for "Outstanding Engineering Achievement "
• 1965 " Architectural Wonders of the Modern " appointed ("One of Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World" according to the American Society of Civil Engineers )

Data

• The structure consists of three bridge parts ( two à 14.5 km, a à 5 km), and two each 1.7 km long tunnels. The transition from bridge - tunnel is accomplished by four heaped, artificial islands, each 20,000 square meters.
• For the construction of the islands approximately 1,000,000 tons of rock were used.
• The cost was approximately $ 200,000,000 for the first phase and approximately $ 250,000,000 for the second section.
• The trip across the U.S. 13 connects Virginia Beach and the Delmarva Peninsula. The one way price is $ 13 for one car.