PROJECT CONNECT
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project
October 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 and CTJV continue to work together to complete the project design. All critical path design work is complete. The final design packages pertaining 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 remain open.
One Island
CTJV has completed more than 55 of the slurry wall panels on One Island. CTJV is also performing jet grout work on the island. This operation involves the injection of cementitious material into the ground where it is mixed with in-situ materials to improve the soil- bearing capacity.

Work continues on the temporary electrical substation at One Island, which will be used to power Chessie, the tunnel boring machine (TBM), as she begins to "tunnel" from One to Two Island. The power cord that will feed this substation is carried to One Island along A Trestle Southbound.

A temporary structure, known as the Omega trestle, which is located on the north end of One Island, will provide a work area for cranes to maneuver as they construct the engineered berm off the north side of One Island. The installation of the temporary steel support walls on each side of the tunnel alignment has begun on the northwest corner of the island.

Marine work continues on the engineered berm off the north end of One Island and stone continues to be placed to provide sufficient cover and weight to allow Chessie to mine through and ensure the new tunnel is secure.

The temporary water treatment plant on the east side of One Island is under construction. This water plant will clean the process water that is used during the operation of the TBM.
Two Island
All efforts at this time are focused on One Island, as it is more critical to the timely completion of the Project; however, CTJV continues to make limited progress preparing for restarting slurry wall placement after One Island slurry walls are complete.
Precast Tunnel Liner Segments
At Concrete Systems, Inc. (CSI) in Chesapeake, VA, production is in full swing. Precast tunnel liner segments are being produced and stored on site while they wait for Chessie to arrive to begin the tunnel dig. More than 60 rings have already been completed.