Chesapeake Bay Bridge Jumper 2023 (2024)

FAQs

How many vehicles have fallen off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge? ›

Since 1964, 15 vehicles have fallen off of the Bay Bridge which have resulted in deaths and major injuries. Many collisions that result in drivers falling off of the Bay Bridge are due to the occasional use of two-way traffic on the bridge.

Direct crossing time is approximately 25 minutes. Bus parking is available at the north and south toll plaza. Restrooms. Vending.

14 truck drivers have gone off the CBBT since the 1980s. The drop kills almost everyone, including the driver who went off just last month. But one truck driver who went off the bridge in 2016 lived to tell about it. And now Matt Killmon is sharing his story publicly for the first time.

They then lowered plugged-up pieces of the concrete tunnel into the ditches. To allow cars to drive through, the workers then unplugged the tunnel pieces. Water depth along the CBBT ranges from 25 to 100 feet, according to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

This 60-year-old structure spans 17.6 miles in total length, from shore to shore. This tunnel consists mostly of bridge roads, but because of the importance of shipping in the bay, two tunnel sections were built into the main shipping channel crossings.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel that stretches above and below water from Virginia Beach/ Norfolk to Virginia's Eastern shore south of Maryland's Eastern shore. The Tunnel Bridge is not connected to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland. In fact, they are nearly 200 land miles apart.

Starting on Jan. 1, 2024, the price for a one-way trip for most vehicles during peak season (May 15 to September 15) will go up to $21, up from the current price of $18 set during the last increase in tolls in 2019. The toll will be $16 one-way for the rest of the year, up from the current $14 off peak price.

The centerline of the HRBT tunnels cross a naturally deep channel ranging from 50 to 60 feet deep, 1-1/2 mile wide, with water only 6 to 10 feet deep between the edge of the deep channel and each shore.

The life cycle analysis confirmed that the existing Bay Bridge spans are in satisfactory condition, and with programmed and anticipated preservation and maintenance, can be maintained safely through 2065.

How safe is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel? ›

The guardrails that line all 20 miles of the CBBT are above federal requirements. “Our rails are actually 40 inches tall, which actually exceeds the standards by eight inches to provide additional safety,” said Mike Crist, Deputy Director of Infrastructure for CBBT.

Soaring 186 feet above the water, and spanning 4.3 miles the Chesapeake Bay Bridge opened for business in 1952 and opened the door to a new era in Maryland. The William Preston Lane, Jr.

Two main spans over the bay's two shipping channels: A 3,200-foot (975 m) long suspension section over the western channel with a maximum clearance of 186 feet (56.7 m) at the 1,600-foot (490 m) main span—high enough to accommodate ocean-going vessels and tall ships.

Note: Based on Maryland Statewide Travel Demand Model. More than 27 million vehicles crossed the Bay Bridge in 2017, a 325% increase since the second span opened in 1974.

On 21 January 1970, Yancey was at anchor near one stretch of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel near Norfolk. Driven by the winds in a snowy gale that gusted up to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h), Yancey dragged her anchors and hit the bridge, knocking it out of service for several weeks.