Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel is a 17.6-mile crossing in southeastern Virginia that carries U.S. Route 13 across the mouth of Chesapeake Bay using bridges, tunnels, and artificial islands.

Thimble Shoal Channel Tunnel: A submerged roadway tunnel carrying the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel beneath Thimble Shoal Channel. It passes under a major shipping channel where a high bridge would obstruct vessel traffic.
Eastern Shore of Virginia: The peninsula of Virginia between Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The bridge–tunnel’s northern end connects directly to this peninsula.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel District: A Virginia transportation district that operates the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel. Its toll revenues and operations support the crossing’s upkeep and services.
Chesapeake Bay: The largest estuary in the United States, bordered by Maryland and Virginia. The crossing spans the bay at its Atlantic entrance.
Chesapeake Channel Tunnel: A submerged roadway tunnel beneath Chesapeake Channel, part of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel. It provides the second deep-channel passage in the crossing.
Hampton Roads: A coastal region and harbor in southeastern Virginia, encompassing several cities and naval facilities. The crossing’s southern end links the Eastern Shore to this region.
Toll road: A road on which users pay a fee to travel. Tolls fund operation and maintenance of the privately financed crossing.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel construction: The engineering project that built the original Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel, opened in 1964. Its construction created a direct road connection where ferry service had been needed.
Artificial island: A human-built landform created by depositing or enclosing material in a body of water. The crossing’s islands connect bridge sections to the submerged tunnels.
U.S. Route 13: A north–south U.S. highway running from Delaware to North Carolina. The bridge–tunnel carries Route 13 across the bay’s mouth.

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