The CBBT is actively involved with Phase II of the Parallel Crossing with the construction of the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel. Join us on August 13 to learn more about this engineering marvel, take a “behind-the-scenes” tour of one of the four working ventilation buildings, and get an up-close peek at #1 Island and the construction site of the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel project.
The tour will be conducted by Michael Crist, PE, Deputy Executive Director of Infrastructure for the CBBT District. Mike joined the CBBT in 2015 and has over 25 years of engineering experience.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a four-lane, 20-mile-long vehicular toll crossing of the lower Chesapeake Bay, providing the only direct link between Hampton Roads and Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The Bridge-Tunnel, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is operated by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District and governed by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission.
Following its opening on April 15, 1964, the CBBT was selected as one of the “Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World,” and in 1965, it received the “Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 2000, the Bridge-Tunnel was recognized by Structural Engineer magazine as one of the “Seven Structural Engineering Wonders of America for the 20th Century.”
This east coast scenic shortcut welcomes more than 4 million vehicles annually and saves travelers time and mileage as they travel from points north of Wilmington, DE to Coastal Virginia or the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Tour Agenda:
8:15 am - Arrive at 257 Bendix Road, Virginia Beach, VA to board charter bus (Map and parking instructions below.)
8:30 am - Bus departs. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for check in.
9 am - Arrive at South Toll Plaza (STP) - TOUR BEGINS
- Bus will travel ~15 minutes to #3 Island for a behind the scenes tour of the working ventilation building. Attendees will be walking up and down 5 flights of stairs. Please wear proper attire for the tour: Pants and closed-toe shoes are required (tennis shoes are fine; no sandals or open toes). Dress comfortably as the building will be seasonally warm (HOT!). Hard hats and steel-toed boots are not necessary.
- Bus will travel to the #1 Island construction site for a “rolling tour” of the construction site pointing out various aspects of the construction and answering any questions as we roll around the island. Attendees will not depart the bus at the construction site.
11:45–12 noon - Return to the Bendix parking site
Parking to Board Charter Bus:
8:15 am - Arrive at 257 Bendix Road, Virginia Beach, VA
Meet in the parking lot behind Residence Inn (see map below).
Do not park in any "reserved/visitor" parking spaces as you may be towed.
COVID-19 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Event attendees assume all risks of COVID exposure and related illnesses in attending. We encourage attendees to follow all current CDC guidelines when attending this event.