For 60 years, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel has captured worldwide attention. Let’s take a look back to see how it came to be.
1930's
![Vintage photo of boy on pier](https://www.cbbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/vintage-photo-of-boy-on-pier.jpg)
A ferry service carried travelers between Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area
1954
![Vintage photo of ferry tickets](https://www.cbbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/vintage-photo-of-ferry-tickets.jpg)
The Chesapeake Bay Ferry District and the Chesapeake Bay Ferry Commission was created and began the operation of the ferries.
1956
![Vintage image of original construction](https://www.cbbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/timeline-photo-1956.jpg)
The General Assembly authorized the Ferry Commission to explore the construction of a fixed crossing.
1960
![Vintage image of original construction](https://www.cbbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/timeline-photo-1960.jpg)
The Chesapeake Bay Ferry Commission sold $200 million in revenue bonds to private investors. No local, state or federal tax money was used in the construction of the project.
1964
![Vintage image of CBBT opening](https://www.cbbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/timeline-photo-1964.jpg)
Just 42 months after construction began – the Bridge-Tunnel opened to traffic and ferry service was discontinued.
1987
![Old aerial image of CBBT](https://www.cbbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/timeline-photo-1987.jpg)
The Bridge-Tunnel was officially named the Lucius J. Kellam, Jr. Bridge-Tunnel in honor of the man who spearheaded the project as it moved from a vision to a reality.
1999
![Old image of CBBT construction](https://www.cbbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/timeline-photo-1999.jpg)
The Bridge-Tunnel opened Phase I of the Parallel Crossing, which expanded the two-lane facility into four lanes.
2013
![Aerial view of a crossing](https://www.cbbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2016_06_08_0279.jpg)
The Commission approved a resolution for the acceleration of the construction of a parallel tunnel at Thimble Shoal Channel.
2016
![groundbreaking ceremony shovels](https://www.cbbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/shovels2.jpg)
The Commission awarded Phase II of the Parallel Crossing Project to Chesapeake Tunnel Joint Venture in the amount of $756,987,318.
2024
![](https://www.cbbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FB_IMG_1645624652645.jpg)
For 60 years, this engineering wonder has been connecting people with places in Virginia and beyond.