Chesapeake Bay Bridge -Tunnel

I love this bridge it’s cool with awesome views there is an area on the bridge where you can park and take it all in (the view). There’s never any traffic most likely because of the $ 12 toll but it’s all worth it. You can’t put a price sanity which is why I avoid I-​95.

I love going through it for the lovely view and all the time it makes me save.
Paying is convenient with the EZ-​pass…
There are designated areas where you can stop to take pictures along the way.

Since this bridge-​tunnel connects me to my family in VA and NC, it has become a very important fixture in my life. Unlike the Hampton Roads Bridge-​Tunnel, I rarely have been delayed due to excessive traffic or maintenance issues. It’s always well-​lit, clean and properly patrolled by police or state troopers. I just wish it wasn’t $ 13 each way the majority of the year and then $ 15 on the weekends during the summer months! But, whatever keeps it functioning and the employees pleasant!

The enormity of this is hard to describe especially because visually it just appears to blend in with the water. This is truly an engineering marvel: part bridge, part underwater tunnel, then repeat. This roadway stretches for miles, hopping bridges connecting to man made islands that serve as portals to then drive underwater. Just absolutely an unbelievable feat of engineering.

A marvel of engineering.
FUn for the kids but traffic can really suck.

This was my 5^th and 6^th time crossing the bridge. I almost forgot how long it really was.

The ups and the downs kiddie roller coasterish! The bright light, waves lapping against great concrete pillars, boats buzzing about their business. The anticipation of the drop into darkness visually and sound wise! Breath taking!

The only other comparable view is the bridge going to Key West. This just never gets old.
Fresh air, boats, seagulls and even if it’s hot… it feels great. Even had the lone sandpiper hanging out near the fencing. Those birds walk so fast it’s hilarious.
I fed the seagulls my cheddar popcorn and watched a Naval ship come back into port.
I did not visit the restaurant so not review on that. The 5 stars are just for the view and the drive. The toll cost is well worth it.
Not a lot of traffic this time on the bridge, but there was an unfortunate casualty. The driver in front of me did not miss the flying seagull and it went to Seagull Heaven. This does happen occasionally on the bridge. Winds or miscalculation on the seagulls part make them fly down and get hit by cars.
There’s usually no damage to cars, but the seagulls don’t end up so well.
R.I.P. Mr. Seagull, I’m sure there’s more cheddar popcorn in birdy heaven.

A long over due write up for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
The biggest reason that I just adore the bridge tunnel is due to the close proximity to my home… like less than a half mile. However, for those that have to travel farther it is quite the time saver to zip up to the Eastern Shore and be on your way to MD, DE, NY and other east coast destinations avoiding 95 and usually saving a lot of time.
The bridge history is something I will save for you to look up on Wikipedia, but I will share some… it is amazing! Built in two phases that spanned over 35 years it is highly regarded for it’s engineering marvel. The span is 20 miles toll booth to toll both. YES, that pesky toll of $ 13 to cross it one way it a huge factor of many in HRVA not exploring our neighbor North Hampton County in the Eastern Shore. Not long ago it was $ 15 cash only and was reduced and now allows credit card. If you round trip it in 24 hours and have EZ PASS your total cost is $ 18. There is current construction on the bridge, but it will not delay you a bit.
It’s a fun drive for the family to take day trips to several locations only 25 – 35 min from CXB. Cape Charles is a charming city that was quite something in it’s hay day as a clamming capital for the region. But even closer is other things to build in a full day trip making it worth your while. Kiptopeke State Park just across the bridge a few miles and even closer is the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge. Combine on a Summer day with beach, a restaurant, or ice-​cream in Cape Charles and you have a full day of fun.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the maintenance of the bridge tunnel. Both are maintained impeccably. There are only 10 bridge tunnels systems in the world and this is one of three in Hampton Roads and the only one privately operated. It has been operated by the CBBT, or Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel District from inception. A study by the Virginia General Assembly in 2002 deemed it impossible to turn the bridge tunnel over to the Old Dominion due to the high cost of it’s annual maintenance.
On a sunny day whether it be Summer, or Winter it’s a spectacular 20 mile jaunt. There are two areas to pull over for scenic overlook photography, or just take in the fresh Chesapeake Bay air. Be careful of too much sight seeing of birds and boats while driving and keep both of those hands on the wheel. Always be prepared for a gust wind that could scare the living hell out of you at any time. There is someone reading this that is laughing right now because it’s happen to them.
Don’t be shy, check it out for a 95 mile short cut, or a day trip to the shore. I think you will be glad you did. For me this is one of the most unique things to do in Hampton Roads. That fifth star not gonna happen with that pesky toll that is going no where.

If you can, try to make your trip around sunrise or sunset. The view of the sun rising or falling above and below is fascinating. Also, pay very close attention to the speed limits because this systems of bridges and tunnels is a notorious speed trap.

One of my favorite bridges in the world. Crossing this span tells me I’m either heading out on a vacation or heading home from something awesome. It’s probably the quickest-​moving stretch of road in the country because it’s such a joy to drive. Where else can you really fly along so much beautiful water?
I’ve never bothered with any of the services onboard, or stopped at all for that matter. So I don’t have any input on that. And I don’t care how much the toll costs because I think this sort of engineering feat is worth it. I’m just not about to complain about the price of doing business.

What Rich P. said is perfect:
«highly prefer the bridge to driving all the way around, or swimming across. It’s iconic. It’s well maintained. I know of no better bridge. Thus, five stars.»

One of the highlights of my 5 ½ hour drive down to Virginia Beach this past weekend was being able to drive the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. I had only crossed the bridge/​tunnel once before, and I wasn’t driving (in fact, I think I slept through most of it), so I was looking forward to the experience.
The first thing I noticed when I got on the bridge was that it is quite narrow! I am used to driving the Ben Franklin Bridge, which connects Philadelphia to Camden, which is so wide, it’s more like highway driving than being on an actual bridge. By contrast, a quick glance out your side window while driving the CBBT, and you are staring right into the bay! Nerves shot up a bit again, however, when entering the tunnels, being reminded that I don’t like driving in tunnels. They are quite narrow, and the opposing traffic always looks too close. During both my trips across the bay, I definitely slowed down a bit during the tunnel portions. I was able to eventually adjust to the narrow roads, however, and just take in the experience. During the 15 minute or so trip across the bay, one can’t help but appreciate the engineering involved in creating such a structure.
During my trip south, I took advantage of the area to pull off for the scenic overlook to snap a few pictures, stretch my legs, and eat some lunch.
The toll is a little steep, $ 13 during non-​peak, and $ 15 during peak, but I suppose for the amount of miles you are traveling to cross the bay, it’s worth it. Certainly worth $ 15 to avoid the only other route to Virginia, through Washington, DC.

If you admire great engineering and love long drives, make a trip that takes you over/​under the Chesapeake Bay via the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel-​Bridge. Try it by day to see the structure, feel the nearness of the water, and watch the gulls circle and dip. Go at night to experience the sense of aloneness as you look at the lights on the roadway wander off into the dark.
Going onto this superstructure is truly an act of faith. Twenty-​one miles. The other side cannot be seen. Only feet above the surface of the Bay, and then deep underneath it, you have to believe in your fellow man and that the far side remains anchored in reality. There can be no cynics nor agnostics nor posers making this crossing. If you don’t believe in what you cannot see, the first step is a terrorizing walk down a dark and dangerous street. Moses at the parting of the Red Sea.
If you are willing to suspend your sense of disbelief, yet maintain rationality, you are excited by the fact that you a participating in a wonder of the modern world, and happy that your companions are with you on this special journey.

Chesapeake Baybridge Tunnel
US Bundesstaat Maryland/​Virginia
Diese gigantische Konstruktion, auch CBBT (
) genannt, verbindet das Festland von Maryland und Virginia mit der sog. Delmarva-​Halbinsel.
Von Washington die East 50 nehmen und bei Annapolis auf die Halbinsel und in der Südspitze durch den CBBT bei Cape Charles. Auf der Halbinsel in Richtung Süden bleibt man auf dem US Highway 13, dann kommt man automatisch nach Virginia North und Cape Charles.
(Siehe Foto unten)
Wir befuhren sie von Cape Charles nach Norfolk durch den CBBT. Dieses beeindruckende Bauwerk wurde von Menschenhand erschaffen. Es sind zwei Brücken/​Strassen durch den Atlantic, die nebeneinander herlaufen und im Verlauf durchfährt man zwei Tunnel.
Die Gesamtstrecke ist 37 km !! lang und kostet derzeit 12 USD pro PKW.
Wenn man auf der Brückenstrasse ist und ein Schiff kommt einem entgegen, hat man das Gefühl, gleich überfahren zu werden. Natürlich kommt rechtzeitig der Tunnel.
(Siehe Foto unten)
Leider durfte ich die Strecke nur bei Dunkelheit und Regen befahren, so sind auch die Fotos nicht sehr ergiebig und spiegeln nicht dieses unglaubliche Erlebnis wieder.
Auf diesen Bauwerken gibt es normalerweise auch ein Restaurant, das leider geschlossen war zu dieser Jahreszeit.
Nähere Info‘s gibt es hier bei Wikipedia (
). Die schönsten Foto‘s aber auf der Homepage (
)
FAZIT: Wer von Washington aus Richtung Süden fährt, sollte ruhig mal die Interstate 95 verlassen und auf die Halbinsel fahren und weiter mit der US 13 und dann wieder in Norfolk auf das Festland wechseln. Es lohnt sich

I’ve been across this bridge probably about 10 times in my life and I’ve never been stuck in traffic on it.
I highly prefer the bridge to driving all the way around, or swimming across.
It’s iconic. It’s well maintained. I know of no better bridge. Thus, five stars.