PROJECT CONNECT
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project
June 2019
Mission: The Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project will construct a new two-lane tunnel under Thimble Shoal Channel.
When complete, the new tunnel will carry two lanes of traffic southbound and the existing tunnel will carry two lanes of traffic northbound.
Project Facts
Design-Build Contractor : Chesapeake Tunnel Joint Venture (CTJV), a joint venture comprised of Dragados USA and Schiavone Construction Company, LLC
Construction Cost: $755,987,318
Construction Method: Bored tunnel
Tunnel Length: approximately one mile
Tunnel Boring Machine: Chessie
Estimated Project Completion : 2023
What's New?
PTST Project Design
The CBBT continues to work with CTJV to complete the project design. All critical path design work is complete. The remaining open packages pertain to the new ventilation buildings, the fishing pier, the replacement of three trestles at One and Two Islands, internal tunnel work and the island surfaces.
One Island
Pile driving for the temporary dock that is being constructed off the western side of the island continues and the first steel beams and timber mats have been installed on the structure. As work progresses on the temporary dock, equipment will be shifted from the island and the cranes will move onto the dock structure to continue its build-out. This dock will be removed once Chessie has completed her passage from One to Two Island.

The construction of an additional temporary structure, known as the Omega trestle, will commence soon. This structure will jut out into the water from the north side of One Island. CTJV is currently installing a temporary concrete foundation in the northwest corner.

Marine work has been started on the engineered berm off the north end of One Island. The berm is being expanded to provide sufficient cover and weight to allow Chessie to mine through and ensure the new tunnel is secure. The initial rock has been installed on the scour apron and work has been started to remove poor material at the base of the slope on the western side of One Island. The excavation will be replaced with sound fill.

Work on the foundation of the temporary water treatment facility has begun on the east side of the island. This plant will "clean" the process water that is used to support the tunnel boring machine (TBM).

Utility relocations are underway on the island, as is the mobilization of a second set of equipment for the slurry wall construction.
Pictured on the left, the contractor is installing a piping trench to be used by Bencor for the desander.
Pictured to the right is the sealed pipe bridge that will carry piping over the portal of One Island.
Pilings are installed on the west side of the island to prepare for the temporary dock.
Contractors prepare to pour concrete for the Omega trestle. This trestle will provide a work area for cranes to maneuver as they construct the engineered berm off the north side of One Island.
Pictured on the left is the first "cap beam" poured on One Island. The cap beam is located on top of the slurry wall and serves to tie all of the slurry panels together at the top of the open cut.
Two Island
Slurry panel construction on Two Island was started in February and progress continues to go well.

CTJV is working on the temporary foundation work that will support the future jet grouting operation on Two Island. The jet grouting is a process to improve the strength of the in situ soils so that they can support the weight of the new tunnel and roadway.
The hydromill continues to dig the foundation panels, some as deep as 120-feet below the surface, in preparation for the slurry panels.
Pictured to the left is a long rebar cage that is being prepared for placement. Cage lifts have been taking place in the early mornings on Two Island.
Precast Tunnel Liner Segments
The Concrete Systems, Inc. (CSI) plant in Chesapeake, VA, which will produce the tunnel segments, is now operational. CTJV continues to tweak and refine the operations of this plant. The Quality Control Manual that has been prepared for segment production is nearly finished and once complete, CSI will begin segment production.