PROJECT CONNECT
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project
June 2020
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?
One Island
Jet grouting has been ongoing in the area of excavation, as the mass excavation for the launching pit of Chessie continues. This launching pit will ultimately become the future southbound exit portal for the new tunnel.
In-water work off the north end of the island involves minor dredging as well as the placement of rock for the engineered berm that will cover the new tunnel.

CTJV continues the water-borne pile driving operations necessary to erect the temporary dock off the western side of the island as well as the temporary trestle being installed on the northern end of the island. These piles form the vertical portions of the temporary works, and then CTJV installs the beams (horizontal elements) on which materials and equipment will be transported. The temporary trestle will be used by CTJV to expand the berm on One Island that will allow for Chessie's passage underneath. CTJV has also begun work on a pit into which the tunnel excavation material will be placed prior to being shipped out for disposal.
Provisions are underway for the shipment of Chessie to the USA later this year. In the meantime, the temporary electrical substation that will be used to power Chessie as she tunnels from One to Two Island is now complete and the temporary water treatment plant that will clean the process water that is used during the operation of the TBM is also complete.
Two Island
With the slurry panels completed on One Island, CTJV resumed the installation of slurry walls on Two Island in mid-January. The installation has been completed and work is now underway on the cap beams, the structural elements atop the slurry panels that tie them together.

The expansion of the engineered berm on Two Island has begun and as the schedule and weather permit, the marine contractor will work the berms on both islands. Demolition of the western approach wall, similar to that already done on One Island, will occur in the near future. Removal of the existing retaining wall is necessary to allow for the construction of a new wall to separate the future southbound lanes from the northbound lanes.
Precast Tunnel Liner Segments
Production of tunnel segments is in full swing at Concrete Systems, Inc. (CSI) in Chesapeake, VA. On average, CSI continues to produce four complete rings a day. Each ring is comprised of nine large segments and one smaller segment, known as the "key." The segments will be stored on site at CSI until Chessie is constructed on One Island and the mining begins. To date, approximately 70% of the 990 total rings have been produced.