Living in Virginia is a totally unique experience. From our rich history to our breathtaking landscapes, charming towns, and fascinating wonders, life in the Old Dominion is anything but ordinary. For proof of this, look no further than the bridge tunnels you’ll find on the coast. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the Hampton Road Bridge-Tunnel, and the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel aren’t just impressive; they’re the only bridge-tunnels of their kind in the U.S. Here’s a closer look at these marvels of engineering that you’ll find only in Virginia.
Driving the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is an incredible, if not intimidating experience. It’s comprised of two one-mile underwater tunnels and two pairs of side-by-side high-level bridges.
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The 17.6-mile structure connects the Eastern Shore and Delmarva Peninsula with the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, crossing over and under the Chesapeake Bay, Hampton Roads Harbor, and the mouths of the James and Elizabeth rivers.
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If this sounds like a marvel of engineering, it is! Construction began in the mid-1960s and took decades to get to its current form. This direct link from Virginia to its Eastern Shore saves drivers 95 miles.
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To date, the CBBT has seen over 140 million vehicles. Perhaps what’s even more impressive is that you won’t find any structures like it in the U.S. outside of Virginia.
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That’s right; the only other two bridge tunnels in America are also in the Hampton Roads area. Photographed below is the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, which measures 3.5 miles and connects Hampton and Norfolk.
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Lastly, the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel is a 4.6-mile crossing connecting Newport News and Suffolk.
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So whether you’re fascinated by Virginia trivia or man-made wonders, you’ll have to agree that Virginia’s bridge tunnels are positively incredible.
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Did you know that Virginia was home to the only bridge tunnels in the U.S.? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!
Famartin/Wikipedia
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Cameron Davidson / Photodisc Collection via Getty Images
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Scrap104 at English Wikipedia / Wikipedia
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Address: Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Virginia, USAAddress: Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, Norfolk, VA, USA
