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

  • Zimbabwe highway project faces delay
    July 12, 2018
    The project to build Zimbabwe’s crucial north-south highway link is facing delays, with the contract now having to be re-awarded. The tender was originally awarded to an Austrian firm, Geiger International, but with progress having proven very slow this has been withdrawn. The deal has not yet been re-awarded. But the Zimbabwe Government is at present in discussions with the second bidder from the original tender process, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group Limited (AFECC), over the contract. The hig
    Read More
  • Bolivia highway project awarded to Chinese firm
    June 8, 2018
    A Chinese contractor, Sinohydro, is now commencing a major highway project in Bolivia.
    Read More
  • Funding issue for Bangladesh tunnel but highway moving forward
    November 14, 2017
    Two major infrastructure projects in Bangladesh are experiencing rather different fates at present. A lack of suitable funding has resulted in the US$705 million Karnaphuli river tunnel project coming to a grinding halt. However the $1.53 billion contract for the Dhaka to Ashulia highway has now been awarded to the Chinese firm, China National Machinery Import and Export Corp (CMC). Chinese funding is intended to pay for the Karnaphuli Tunnel, but has so far been delayed and the Chinese contractor awarded
    Read More
  • Congestion and safety concerns over Serbia’s roads
    February 23, 2012
    With traffic flows on the increase, Serbia needs to improve its road network and safety record, reports Gordon Feller. Serbia's road network needs to upgrade its road system against the backdrop of increased traffic flows. Serbia is crossed by segments of the important Trans European network (TEN). Corridor X with its branches Xb (Belgrade-Budapest) Xc (Nis-Sofia), and Xd (Nis-Presevo), represent the most important transit routes in the Republic, connecting Austria/Hungary, Slovenia/Croatia, and Bulgaria/Ma
    Read More

Highlighted Content