PROJECT CONNECT
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project
August 2018
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Mission:
The Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project will construct a new two-lane tunnel under Thimble Shoal Channel.
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When complete, the new tunnel will carry two lanes of traffic southbound and the existing tunnel will carry two lanes of traffic northbound.
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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
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A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 19, 2017 to mark the commencement of construction of the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel. Though much of the work that has been done since then is not visible to the traveling public, here is an update of what is taking place.
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Dominion Power has completed an upgrade to the power line that feeds the South Plaza Substation. CTJV has also installed a new cable on A-Trestle southbound to One Island, in order to provide the power necessary to operate Chessie.
Upon completion of construction, the power cable will become a redundant electrical feed for the facility.
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On One Island, ongoing work includes:
- The initial construction of the foundation slabs for the Jet Grout plant on the west side of the island.
- The temporary relocation of storm water outfall pipes on the north side of the island.
- Delivery of a pile-driving template on the east side of the island.
- On-going construction of slurry wall panels on the east side of the island.
As part of the settlement mitigation system, steel sheet piles are being driven along the north end of the island, adjacent to the open approach and ventilation building. The sheet pile wall will act as a cut-off wall to prevent tunneling activities from causing movement of the open approach, ventilation building or existing tunnel. This same process will also occur on Two Island in the future.
CTJV expects to start driving pipe piles on the west side of the island in the very near future. The pipe piles will eventually be part of the temporary dock that will be used for receiving materials for the project.
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The Little Creek Property was purchased by the CBBT in 1995 for use as a staging area for the construction of the Parallel Crossing Project, of which Phase I was completed in 1999. A portion of this property is now being utilized by CTJV as a marshalling site, as this waterfront location is approximately 4 miles from the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel project site.
At the Little Creek property, stone deliveries for the engineering berms have begun. These large boulders, weighing on average 30,000 pounds each, will be used when the islands are expanded to facilitate tunnel construction.
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Chesapeake Concrete Plant
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Work is underway in Chesapeake, VA on the plant that will produce the individual tunnel segments. Concrete Systems, Inc. (CSI) was awarded the job of precasting the tunnel liner segments. CSI is putting together a precast yard in Chesapeake, VA on the southern branch of the Elizabeth River. The 30 molds that will be used to cast over 9,000 tunnel segments have also been delivered to the site. At full production, CSI plans to produce one segment every 15 minutes.
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More than 4,000 miles away in Germany, Chessie successfully passed her Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT). Herrenknecht put her through the paces as they tested all mechanical and electrical systems to ensure they were operational as planned. Chessie will soon be disassembled and prepared for shipping to Virginia.
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Wanting to make a positive impact on the community, members from CTJV, HNTB, Jacobs, Mott MacDonald and the CBBT, recognized as the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project Team, pledged to provide 1,000 volunteer hours to assist in the construction of a Habitat home.
Since becoming involved with this non-profit organization in 2016, volunteers from the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project Team have contributed well over 1,000 hours to support the construction of these simple and affordable homes on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Work has been completed on two homes and House #3 is underway.
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