Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel: 2-lane immersed-tube on artificial islands

Located in southeastern Virginia, in USA, the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel is a marvel of engineering, consisting of two 2-lane immersed-tube tunnels on artificial islands, with trestle bridges to shore.

Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel

It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. The surface of the bridge tunnel is asphalted. It’s the oldest tunnel on I-64 in Hampton Roads and links the city of Hampton on the Virginia Peninsula and Willoughby Spit in the city of Norfolk. The first two-lane tunnel opened in 1957 and a second opened in 1976. In July 2009, the westbound tube partially flooded after a thunderstorm hit the Hampton Roads region. In July 2016 a two car collision caused both vehicles to burst into flames and fill the tunnel with smoke, leaving 35 vehicles stuck inside the tunnel behind the scene.

The tunnels are 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long and opened in 1957 (current westbound lanes) and 1976 (eastbound lanes). The HRBT is very heavily traveled, it does not matter which direction you are going or even the time of day. Nearly three million vehicles use it each month. It carries more than 100,000 vehicles a day during the tourist season. 
More info: https://letssintonight.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/so-many-bridge-tunnels/

 

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.