The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel has led travelers on adventure for over 50 years. Let us help guide you on your next journey.
North Toll Plaza
Know before you go! The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a four-lane 20-mile-long vehicular toll crossing of the lower Chesapeake Bay. The facility carries US 13, the main north-south highway on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and provides the only direct link between Virginia’s Eastern Shore and south Hampton Roads, Virginia. All toll lanes are gated so be prepared to stop. And don’t forget your E-ZPass if you are making a round-trip crossing!
We recommend jamming one of our playlists as you take a drive out to sea!
CBBT's Spotify ChannelVisitor Center
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel spans the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, connecting two very unique areas of Coastal Virginia, where the fun comes in waves! Visit our coastal ambassadors at the Eastern Shore of Virginia Welcome Center, located within the North Toll Plaza Rest Area on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The Eastern Shore of Virginia Welcome Center is open daily, 9 am – 5 pm.
And, so you never forget your trip, stop in at Virginia Originals Gift Shop to pick up a t-shirt, coffee mug or other keepsake…located inside the North Toll Plaza Rest Area, the gift shop is open daily, 9 am – 4:30 pm.
Visit our Travel Info page for more information.
Travel InformationScenic Overlook
If you are a camera buff and are looking for that perfect vantage point to photograph the Bridge-Tunnel be sure to stop at our Scenic Overlook. The overlook is located on the west side of the roadway at the southern tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore and provides a parking area to accommodate cars, recreational vehicles and buses, and viewing machines to magnify the views of the Chesapeake Bay.
Check out the #cbbtviews and don’t forget to tag you photos when you visit.
Scenic OverlookFisherman Inlet Bridge
Fisherman Inlet Bridge is one of two bridges that together, make up less than one mile of the entire crossing. Fisherman Inlet Bridge offers a 40 foot vertical clearance and provides boaters the ability to travel the Intracoastal Waterway.
Look off to the east and you will see Smith Island and the Cape Charles Lighthouse. This is the second tallest lighthouse in the U.S., towering 191 feet from the sands of the island.
North Channel Bridge
The highest point of the entire crossing, North Channel Bridge carries travelers more than 75′ above the one hundred foot depths of the Chesapeake Bay.
DID YOU KNOW that this bridge was the scene of a high speed chase in Mission: Impossible 3, starring Tom Cruise?
Fisherman Island
Between North Channel and Fisherman Inlet, the facility crosses over Fisherman Island, a barrier island which includes the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, providing a vital link for millions of songbirds, raptors, shorebirds, and butterflies to rest and refuel before continuing the rigorous journey to their wintering grounds.
Learn more about the wildlife refuge and what we are doing to protect it.
Visit US Fish & Wildlife SiteIsland 4
The Bridge-Tunnel’s habitat of concrete, steel, asphalt and rocks located in open water, makes an inviting rest stop for birds during their spring and fall migrations. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel currently offers birding enthusiasts the opportunity to observe birds and waterfowl from its northernmost man-made islands that cradle Chesapeake Channel.
Birding ProgramSea Gull Pier
Unique to this engineering wonder is a 625-foot fishing pier, located off the southernmost island.
Sea Gull Fishing Pier was CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC in October 2017 as construction began for the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel.
The pier will remain closed throughout this project, but plans are in place to renovate the existing pier and re-open to the public once the tunnel construction is complete (approximately 2026).
Island 1
Four man-made islands cradle two underwater tunnels of the CBBT. Each island rises 30+ feet above the water’s surface and provide 8 acres of land to provide tunnel approach roads, garages for emergency equipment and ventilation buildings.
While travelers won’t be able to enjoy a Big Fish Sandwich from the bayside restaurant any longer, we look forward to welcoming travelers to stop on the island and stretch their legs on the renovated fishing pier once tunnel construction is complete.
South Toll Plaza
Know before you go! The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a four-lane 20-mile-long vehicular toll crossing of the lower Chesapeake Bay. The facility carries US 13, the main north-south highway on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and provides the only direct link between Virginia’s Eastern Shore and south Hampton Roads, Virginia. All toll lanes are gated so be prepared to stop. And don’t forget your E-ZPass if you are making a round-trip crossing!
Visit our Travel Info page for more information.
Travel InformationA Breathtaking journey.
The Bridge-Tunnel project is a four-lane 20-mile-long vehicular toll crossing of the lower Chesapeake Bay. The facility carries US 13, the main north-south highway on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and provides the only direct link between Virginia’s Eastern Shore and south Hampton Roads, Virginia.
The crossing consists of a series of low-level trestles interrupted by two approximately one-mile-long tunnels beneath Thimble Shoal and Chesapeake navigation channels. The manmade islands, each approximately 5.25 acres in size, are located at each end of the two tunnels. There are also high level bridges over two other navigation channels: North Channel Bridge and Fisherman Inlet Bridge.
Finally, between North Channel and Fisherman Inlet, the facility crosses at-grade over Fisherman Island, a barrier island which includes the Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Toll collection facilities are located at each end of the facility.
Did You Know?
Official Name:
Lucius J. Kellam, Jr. Bridge-Tunnel
Operated by:
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission
Route:
US 13 connecting Virginia Beach/Norfolk to Virginia’s Eastern Shore
Total Length (including approach roads):
23 miles
Length (Toll Plaza to Toll Plaza):
20 miles
Length (Shore to Shore):
17.6 miles
Depth of water along Route:
25 to 100 feet
Awards:
*American Society of Civil Engineers 1965 award for “Outstanding Engineering Achievement”
*Designated “One of Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World” in 1965
Opening Date:
-Northbound: April 15, 1964
-Southbound: April 19, 1999
Built by:
-Northbound: Tidewater Construction, Corp.; Merritt, Chapman, Scott; Raymond International; and Peter Kiewitt & Sons, Inc. (TMRK); American Bridge Co.
-Southbound: PCL/Hardaway/Interbeton, A Joint Venture (PCL Civil Constructors, Inc.; The Hardaway Company; and Interbeton, Inc.)
Building Time:
-Northbound: 42 Months – Construction began on September 7, 1960, and the project was opened to traffic on April 15, 1964.
-Southbound: 46 months – Construction began June 16, 1995, and the project was opened to traffic on April 19, 1999.
Total Cost:
-Northbound: $200,000,000 financed by the sale of revenue bonds. No tax dollars were used.
-Southbound: $250,000,000 financed by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District and the sale of revenue bonds. No tax dollars were used.
Construction Features:
12 miles of low-level trestle, 2 one-mile-long tunnels, 2 bridges, 2 miles of causeway, 4 manmade islands and 5-1/2 miles of approach roads.
Trestles:
-Length 12.3 miles
-Northbound width 28 feet curb-to-curb
-Southbound width 36 feet curb-to-curb
Concrete Piles to Support Trestles and Fisherman Inlet Bridge:
-Northbound: 2,656
-Southbound: 2,149
Tunnels (Trench Type):
-Thimble Shoal Tunnel: 5,552 feet in length, portal to portal
-Chesapeake Channel Tunnel: 5,237 feet in length, portal to portal
Construction is underway on a parallel tunnel at Thimble Shoal Channel. Click here for more information.
Tunnel Clearances:
24 feet horizontal; 13 feet 6 inches vertical
North Channel and Fisherman Inlet Bridges:
-North Channel (northbound): 3,798 feet in length; 75 feet vertical clearance; 300 feet horizontal clearance
-North Channel (southbound): 3,100 feet in length; 75 feet vertical clearance; 300 feet horizontal clearance
-Fisherman Inlet (northbound): 457 feet in length; 40 feet vertical clearance; 110 feet horizontal clearance
-Fisherman Inlet (southbound): 460 feet in length; 40 feet vertical clearance; 110 feet horizontal clearance
Islands:
Four manmade islands each with approximately 5.25 acres of surface, 30 feet above water
Rock Armor for Manmade Islands:
1,183,295 tons