U.S. 13 North - Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

Home » Guides » Virginia » U.S. 13 North - Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
U.S. 13
<p>An elaborate traffic control system along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) operates during periods of inclement weather, lane blockages due to accidents or stalled vehicles or maintenance. Traffic signals and LED advisory signs are posted throughout the 17.6 mile system of bridges. The traffic pattern can be altered with one bridge supporting two-way traffic as needed. Figures referenced for the U.S. 13 section along the CBBT were obtained from the <a href="http://www.cbbt.com/about-us/facts/">Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Facts page</a>.</p>
U.S. 13 North
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel northbound toll plaza lies a third of mile north of exchange with U.S. 60 and west of Lake Joyce.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel northbound toll plaza lies a third of mile north of exchange with U.S. 60 and west of Lake Joyce.
12/14/17
Higher tolls are charged to cross the CBBT during peak season from May 15 to September 15.
Higher tolls are charged to cross the CBBT during peak season from May 15 to September 15.
12/14/17
The CBBT Toll Plaza was expanded to five lanes with two dedicated to E-ZPass transactions after 2001.
The CBBT Toll Plaza was expanded to five lanes with two dedicated to E-ZPass transactions after 2001.
07/28/13

12/14/17

07/28/13
Named for Lucius J. Kellam, Jr, the CBBT northbound initially spans Lookout Road and Chesapeake Beach Park.
Named for Lucius J. Kellam, Jr, the CBBT northbound initially spans Lookout Road and Chesapeake Beach Park.
12/14/17
The CBBT leaves the south shore of Chesapeake Bay at Chesapeake Beach.
The CBBT leaves the south shore of Chesapeake Bay at Chesapeake Beach.
07/28/13
Looking east from the CBBT at Lynnhaven Shores and Cape Henry.
Looking east from the CBBT at Lynnhaven Shores and Cape Henry.
12/14/17
Completed in 1999, the southbound span for the CBBT diverges from the northbound span.
Completed in 1999, the southbound span for the CBBT diverges from the northbound span.
07/28/13

12/14/17

12/14/17
U.S. 13 reduces to two lanes at South Thimble Island, one mile beyond mile marker 2.
U.S. 13 reduces to two lanes at South Thimble Island, one mile beyond mile marker 2.
07/28/13

12/14/17
The Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project underway from October 1, 2017 to 2024 builds a second lane tunnel for southbound traffic. Upon completion, U.S. 13 will maintain two lanes in each direction across Thimble Shoal Channel.
The Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project underway from October 1, 2017 to 2024 builds a second lane tunnel for southbound traffic. Upon completion, U.S. 13 will maintain two lanes in each direction across Thimble Shoal Channel.
12/14/17
U.S. 13 enters Thimble Shoal Tunnel on South Thimble Island in 0.75 miles.
U.S. 13 enters Thimble Shoal Tunnel on South Thimble Island in 0.75 miles.
12/14/17
South Thimble Island formerly houses Virginia Originals & Chesapeake Grill restaurant and gift shop in addition to a fishing pier. These amenities were demolished to make way for Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project construction.
South Thimble Island formerly houses Virginia Originals & Chesapeake Grill restaurant and gift shop in addition to a fishing pier. These amenities were demolished to make way for Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project construction.
07/28/13
The CBBT lowers into Thimble Shoal Tunnel below Thimble Shoal Channel.
The CBBT lowers into Thimble Shoal Tunnel below Thimble Shoal Channel.
12/14/17
The Thimble Shoal Tunnel is 24 feet wide with a 13 foot 6 inch vertical clearance.
The Thimble Shoal Tunnel is 24 feet wide with a 13 foot 6 inch vertical clearance.
07/28/13

12/14/17

07/28/13
The Thimble Shoal Tunnel is 5,552 feet in length.
The Thimble Shoal Tunnel is 5,552 feet in length.
07/28/13

12/14/17

07/28/13

07/28/13

12/14/17

12/14/17
Northbound U.S. 13 exits the Thimble Shoal Tunnel at mile marker 5.
Northbound U.S. 13 exits the Thimble Shoal Tunnel at mile marker 5.
07/28/13
The roadways for U.S. 13 again separate at North Thimble Island.
The roadways for U.S. 13 again separate at North Thimble Island.
07/28/13

12/14/17
U.S. 13 curves northeast ahead of Chesapeake Channel.
U.S. 13 curves northeast ahead of Chesapeake Channel.
12/14/17
U.S. 13 narrows to two lanes through the Chesapeake Channel Tunnel.
U.S. 13 narrows to two lanes through the Chesapeake Channel Tunnel.
12/14/17
The manmade island at Chesapeake Channel comes into view.
The manmade island at Chesapeake Channel comes into view.
12/14/17
U.S. 13 lowers into the 24 foot wide Chesapeake Channel Tunnel.
U.S. 13 lowers into the 24 foot wide Chesapeake Channel Tunnel.
12/14/17
The Chesapeake Channel Tunnel is 5,237 feet in length.
The Chesapeake Channel Tunnel is 5,237 feet in length.
12/14/17

12/14/17

07/28/13

07/28/13

12/14/17
U.S. 13 emerges from the Chesapeake Channel Tunnel on Island 4.
U.S. 13 emerges from the Chesapeake Channel Tunnel on Island 4.
07/28/13

12/14/17
U.S. 13 resumes with four overall lanes to the North Channel Bridges.
U.S. 13 resumes with four overall lanes to the North Channel Bridges.
07/28/13
Advancing north across Chesapeake Bay toward Nine Foot Shoal.
Advancing north across Chesapeake Bay toward Nine Foot Shoal.
12/14/17

12/14/17

12/14/17

12/14/17
The North Channel Bridges ascend to 75 feet in height across 300 foot wide channels.
The North Channel Bridges ascend to 75 feet in height across 300 foot wide channels.
12/14/17
The North Channel Bridge measures 3,798 feet in length, 698 feet shorter than the 35 year newer southbound span.
The North Channel Bridge measures 3,798 feet in length, 698 feet shorter than the 35 year newer southbound span.
12/14/17

12/14/17

07/28/13

12/14/17

07/28/13
Cape Charles Lighthouse appears along the eastern horizon as U.S. 13 descends toward Fishermans Island.
Cape Charles Lighthouse appears along the eastern horizon as U.S. 13 descends toward Fishermans Island.
07/28/13
The CBBT curves northward along a causeway across Fishermans Island.
The CBBT curves northward along a causeway across Fishermans Island.
12/14/17

07/28/13
Cape Charles Lighthouse is located on Smith Island east of Magothy Bay.
Cape Charles Lighthouse is located on Smith Island east of Magothy Bay.
12/14/17
U.S. 13 continues north onto Cape Charles ahead of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Welcome Center.
U.S. 13 continues north onto Cape Charles ahead of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Welcome Center.
12/14/17
Located north of the Fisherman Inlet Bridge, a scenic overlook lines the west side of U.S. 13 near Wise Point, the southern tip of Cape Charles.
Located north of the Fisherman Inlet Bridge, a scenic overlook lines the west side of U.S. 13 near Wise Point, the southern tip of Cape Charles.
12/14/17
U.S. 13 ascends over the 457 feet long Fisherman Inlet Bridge.
U.S. 13 ascends over the 457 feet long Fisherman Inlet Bridge.
12/14/17
The Fisherman Inlet Bridge crests at 40 feet above a 110 foot wide navigation channel on Fishermans Inlet.
The Fisherman Inlet Bridge crests at 40 feet above a 110 foot wide navigation channel on Fishermans Inlet.
12/14/17

12/14/17
U.S. 13 northbound reaches Cape Charles in Northampton County at Wise Point.
U.S. 13 northbound reaches Cape Charles in Northampton County at Wise Point.
12/14/17

12/14/17

12/14/17

12/14/17
The Eastern Shore of Virginia Welcome Center lies across from the southbound CBBT Toll Plaza.
The Eastern Shore of Virginia Welcome Center lies across from the southbound CBBT Toll Plaza.
12/14/17

12/14/17
The Cape May Lewes Ferry spanning Delaware Bay, is 130 miles to the north of the CBBT via U.S. 13 and U.S. 9.
The Cape May Lewes Ferry spanning Delaware Bay, is 130 miles to the north of the CBBT via U.S. 13 and U.S. 9.
07/28/13

12/14/17
U.S. 13 travels 68 miles north from the CBBT to the Maryland state line.
U.S. 13 travels 68 miles north from the CBBT to the Maryland state line.
12/14/17
The CBBT formally ends at SR 600 (Wise Point Lane) adjacent to the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge.
The CBBT formally ends at SR 600 (Wise Point Lane) adjacent to the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge.
12/14/17

Photo Credits:

Page Updated Monday April 19, 2021.