Work starting on second Chesapeake Tunnel project

Work is now starting on a major tunnel project in the US state of Virginia. Construction of a second tunnel connection for the Chesapeake Bay is expected to cost US$756million. The original Chesapeake Bay Tunnel and Bridge crossing opened to traffic in April 1964 and measures just over 37km long. Construction of a second parallel bridge was commenced in 1995 and opened to traffic in 1999. However the central tunnel link was not widened at that time and now carries more traffic than it was designed for, whil
September 20, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Work is now starting on a major tunnel project in the US state of Virginia. Construction of a second tunnel connection for the Chesapeake Bay is expected to cost US$756million. The original Chesapeake Bay Tunnel and Bridge crossing opened to traffic in April 1964 and measures just over 37km long. Construction of a second parallel bridge was commenced in 1995 and opened to traffic in 1999. However the central tunnel link was not widened at that time and now carries more traffic than it was designed for, while also suffering some delays at peak periods. To increase capacity as well as to boost safety, a second bore is now being constructed and this will eliminate the need for two-way traffic as at present.


This new tunnel will be driven using a TBM with the work being carried out by the Chesapeake Tunnel Joint Venture, a partnership between the contractors 4761 Dragados and Schiavone Construction Company. This machine will use a 12.8m diameter cutter head drive a new bore under the Thimble Shoal Channel, removing some 392,000m3 of material. In all, 9,000 pre-cast segments will be used to support the new tunnel and it will have an internal diameter of 11.9m, while the project is expected to require a total of 32,900m3 of concrete. The tunnel will measure around 1.6km long and will reach a maximum depth of 41.5m, with the work due for completion in 2022.

Finance & Funding

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Francis Scott Key Bridge demolition
    July 3, 2025
    Demolition is planned for the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
    Read More
  • We can be Heroes
    January 11, 2023
    Paraguay’s Puente Héroes del Chaco will provide a vital transport link for the country once it is complete, Mauro Nogarin and Mike Woof report
    Read More
  • BAUER involved in constructing a tunnel under the Suez Canal
    October 4, 2016
    The widened Suez Canal, located at Ismailia in Egypt, is now providing extra capacity for vessels, having been officially opened in August 2015. The waterway has great significance for world trade and has been widened at certain points and also expanded.
    Read More
  • Kazakhstan bridge project complete
    December 16, 2016
    The opening of a new bridge in Kazakhstan that spans the Irtysh River is now offering a shorter route for drivers. The link is 12.3km long and is now the longest such structure in Central Asia, while the project cost around US$157 million. Its length was necessary as the bridge crosses a floodplain area, with a channel that can widen considerably following periods of heavy rain. Located in the country’s Pavlodar region, the bridge cuts the route used previously by over 40km. The bridge is expected to carry
    Read More

Highlighted Content