My brother was one of the two divers that worked on this bridge when it was built. Going under the water didn’t bother him he just didn’t like driving over it!! He was featured in National Geographic Magazine under water and sitting on pilings and pictures of him being suited up to go to work! I have beautiful pictures of him suited up. He has passed away.
@ April Hudson, see ground water inside an interior walking tunnel inside Hoover Dam.The Park Ranger explained the water seepage inside Hoover Dam is normal and safe
Growing up in Virginia - I took this bridge for granted, but now living in Florida and meeting people that didnt even know what a tunnel was is hilarious! LOL!
The reason the bridge and tunnels are built like that is so if an enemy attacks, they can't destroy a bridge and prevent ships from leaving port. Yes it is 55 mph in the tunnel but I never drive more then 50 in my semi. Just a safety thing for me. Those are hospital ships and sometimes carriers are docked there.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was built during the height of the Cold War between 1961-1964. Our largest Naval Base in the world is located in Norfolk, Va and for the reason you stated, to get the ships out if they bombed the bridges. It took only 42 months to complete the 17.6 mile bridge tunnel project. More amazing is that it cost 200 million dollars to build.
I'm planning to drive this bridge/tunnel this summer. The tunnel seems ok. I've driven the one from Detroit to Canada. Wasn't bad. It's the bridge that gives me a little anxiety. It reminds me of the bridge going into New Orleans. I think it is like 20 miles. U did a great job with the video. I really enjoyed it.
Good luck! Never been to Canada but been to NOLA many times. Only time bridges bother me is when traffic stops on one and you can feel it slightly bouncing lol. Thank you!!! Glad you enjoyed the video.
I just rode that last Thursday...it was the sunniest day. Shit was an amazing thing to experience. Nothing better than a road trip. drove down NC from Philly. That bay is unbelievable. Cost $14 to ride but amazing.
I remember when they used a ferryboat and when they opened the bridge tunnel. Our family when traveling to Florida, were one of the first 100 people over the bridge/tunnel. My brother used to love holding his breath in a tunnel, as a way of proving how long he could hold his breath. He could could hold his breath through every one of the tunnels. Memories. We did miss the ferryboat though
I did this back in 88” for a Greek fest. I’m still traumatized over the experience. Yes I cried seeing your video. It brought back so any memories of that crazy bridge and tunnel. 🥴😱 but I was holding your hand the whole way. 🤗🛳🚛
Nice! VA Beach native here in Florida. My favorite bridge-tunnel to ride (3 in the area total). The height of the crashing waves are awesome! Some people are so scared to drive across it they have rideshare services that will drive you lol 😁..and yes, we have a very large naval presence! Thanks for exploring!
If I wasn’t so out of shape I would attempt to ride my Adult Tricycle across the bridge. I would have to take a few breaks in between but it would be worth it. I have a basket on the back of my Tricycle that I can put a fishing rod and tackle box in and go fishing while I’m going across the bridge as I take my break to catch my breath and rest up before I resume my journey.
I'm a wrecker driver the truck I was towing kept hitting the ceiling on the way over and with the other truck I picked up both ways the fairing hitting the ceiling I was proud to be on it my uncle John helped build it✝️🇺🇸
We've taken the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel several times to go to DC and Staten Island for parties. Always a nice experience as we were used to the tunnels in Portsmouth and Norfolk anyway. I was in the area a few years because of the Navy, and I miss it.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel goes over the Chesapeake Bay. I'm glad you're driving it...not me!! It'scool to see the lights of it at night from VA Beach.
The first bridge-tunnel was The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. It connects Hampton to Norfolk. The second bridge-tunnel was the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It connects Virginia Beach to The Eastern Shore. Neither go under or over the Atlantic Ocean. They go over and under the Chesapeake Bay. Those "old" Navy ships are operational.
Getting stuck in a traffic jam in that tunnel would be my worst nightmare - imagine just sitting there in your motor going nowhere with all that ocean above you pressing in - that road in the tunnel looks very wet!. Apparently 16 people, mainly truckers, have died from driving off the side of the bridge section too and it's been hit by ships at least 3 times. Wouldn't catch me driving that nightmare
Been there, done that! Man, my hand was clinching the wheel the entire time! Thanks for recording this video, since that was a "Once in a lifetime" event for me.
This gave me anxiety, and I'm just sitting here watching. Your nervous chuckles every now and then made it a little earlier to watch. To be a truck driver, driving places you have no idea of the terrain or anything else, how do you do it, besides just do it? Impressive and scary as ish! Thanks for the ride, keep safe.
Just went over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge last week I’ve been over a few times headed back home Florida yeah it’s a crazy long bridge. I’ll give you all the credit in the world buddy driving that semi shoe that was a tight fit I never realize how tight that was for you guys to my son on your video wow! Good luck and be safe my friend thanks for all you do but you got to see the eastern shore anyway
Back in the old days, long before your mom and dad did the dirty and created you, I drove from Philadelphia to Norfolk twice a week for 3 weeks while going to school in Virginia Beach. In those days it had 3 tunnels and 2 lane bridges. You got on at one end and stayed in your lane all the way across the 17.6 miles. Oh what fun that was. Other than having more lanes, nothing much has changed. The tunnels look just the same now as then.
Many years back, a customer came into my work. He sat at my desk and while asking questions, we were also talking. He told me he was a bridge and tunnel inspector. I told him how I hated to go in the harbor tunnel and he said “I never drive through the harbor tunnel”. He said if you knew the things I knew, you wouldn’t drive through it. I said I don’t
@GoFastNation ……. Bored ??????? No way! First timer here like you ! It was a great video. You were funny, comical, light hearted and CALM …… With a little bit of fear ! 🤪🤪 I thought it was the best video of this Bridge and Tunnel And others are great as well. But it was your narration that slayed me. If I EVER have to experience those tunnels, then I’m going to bring this/your video to calm me down !!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏
Yeah, the first 4.5 minutes was the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, (HRBT) Nicknamed the Herbert. It is part of I 64 which connects the Virginia Peninsula (Hampton) to the Southside (Norfolk). The "boats "docked to the right are active duty Navy ships at Norfolk, NOB. There are at least 2 aircraft carriers and an amphibious assault ship. The second bridge-tunnel is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT). It connects the Southside (Virginia Beach) to the Virginia Eastern Shore. (US 13). The first tunnel crosses Thimble Shoals channel (witch leads to the HRBT.). The last tunnel is for the Baltimore channel. The ship was an auto carrier delivering cars to Baltimore. Both the HRBT & CBBT are adding new tunnels to lighten the traffic congestion and separate the oncoming traffic lanes. A much needed upgrades.
I got a fear of bridges. I do drive over a few each week. This is one that I will not be driving over or through the tunnel. All that water makes me anxious. Probably have an attack and drive off. Thanks for the video. Nice job.
Have been over this bridge and tunnel passing through on on summer vacation back in early 1970s and it was kinda like a tourist attraction , you would get out of your car, take pictures, I’m not sure if they had a gift shop somewhere, yes it was scary in the tunnel.
I miss my job. Its nice to watch videos of my brothers driving as i sit here missing it. 21 yrs long haul running 2 logs. Far north east to key west fl and all the way to far south west and up 101 to portland. As far north west as yukon then east to pq city. Remote areas all over delivering pre manufactured buildings. Plus about anything else of my 21 yrs.
Very familiar with the CBBT and the HRBT as these tunnels provide for ships to come and go unhindered, especially the US Navy. The CBBT in the near future will finally be 2 lanes each way and all the way. Currently parts of it is still only 1 lane each way. The HRBT is also adding additional lanes. When they built the Monitor Merrimac(664) they should have made it 3 lanes each way. There are a number of other smaller tunnels and bridges in the area.
The first time across this bridge for me as during a storm and it was crazy the waves were crazy and I occasionally got splashed on by salt spray and the fog was really eerie. Pulling a trailer wasn't helping a bit.
The most dangerous thing about crossing this bridge is the wind, which has blown numerous vehicles off the deck. Very few people survive falling off, because the current is very strong. A while back, a trucker was blown off this bridge, and swept out into the ocean. They found his body a year later, on a beach in North Carolina. This isn't even the scariest bridge in Norfolk.
Oh em gee!!. Knowing you are going over the ocean is one thing, but you made it real when you drove out from seeing the people out on the beach and you kept going..Like you are really driving past the horizon we see while on the beach in the very far distance. What a tight squeeze in the tunnel!!
.aahh... nostalgia...worked on the CBBT 14 months loog ago 1986-87. If memories serve our fleet mechanic had a new Mustang 5.0 so we take it out just for kicks. 120mph +/-. Coming out of the tunnel like getting shot out of a cannon.flamimg youth...
Some people don't love tunnels like I do. C'mon, man, I love tunnels, whether they're wide or narrow. I love tunnels with lights on in them and not pitch-dark ones.
It's the Chesapeake bay, not the Atlantic ocean. And, its the Chesapeake bay tunnel bridge not the Chesapeake bay bridge. The actual bay bridge is at a very high elevation over the water and is what gives a lot of people panic attacks. I lived in VA 16 years and have driven both. It didn't bother me because I had other shit on my mind. But, I later thought about it and and was like damn!
Ummm, not old navy boats. That's Norfolk Naval Base and you are seeing aircraft carriers as well as other ships that are definitely not old. AND it's pronounced "Norfuck". I know I know, it sounds different than it's spelled.
@@GoFastNation hey bud, sorry but having grown up in Hampton Roads, we are kinda particular about our area. Worlds biggest Naval Base and a ton of shipyards. We even build all of the Navy's aircraft carriers and most of the submarines about 5 miles from the naval base. When you go into any of the tunnels around here and everyone slows down, we call them tourists. 😆 The big white and yellow ship you saw when you were on the CBBT is actually a car carrier bringing imports over from Asia or Europe.
I did the channel tunnel in England to get to France. Luckily, we didn't drive under it. We just drive in and park. It was weird and I thought I saw a drop of water hit the windshield and about flipped out.
You mentioned the possibility of a truck being blown off the bridge. About two? Three years ago, my wife and I saw a hole in the brige railing on the southbound side and a large police emergency presence, with traffic down to one lane (we were going north). There was a trailer floating in the bay, and a couple of helicopters searching the area. We learned later the wind (It was blowing hard that day) had blown a truck/trailer off the bridge. The truck was one of the last that got through before they closed the bridge/tunnel to truck traffic. Unfortunately, we learned even later the driver had died. My God go with you all as you travel your journey.
This is the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel HRBT. It does not span the Chesapeake Bay. The CBBT spans the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay from Chicks Beach to Fisherman’s Island on the Eastern Shore
I grew up in this are, been across so many times with the HRBT and the BAY Bridge. That was the naval base, those are current ships. and you pronounce Norfolk, like it has no "L" and the "O" is a "U". I know it sound like your are saying a bad word, but if you are local it is being correct.
Bro we went to Virginia Beach, went back to Bmore but my wife made a right where it should a been a left and we went thru that tunnel when we came up then hit that bridge I knew she effed up!!! On your right is the Atlantic the left the Bay dont know where the meet, all I know is Im scared of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge so you know I was terrified being in the middle of the Ocean for twelve miles to me was a nightmare!! We'll never make that miayake again, this isnt as tall as the chesapeake Bay Bridge the water is right there and Ima excellent swimmer but so what man..Im gonna subscribe to your "if i qas vonna fall it woulda fell already" theory… Yes bro no land in sight plus that water is hundreds if not thounsands of feel deep… the whole thing is 17 miles twelve being over the land..great vid my friend✌️🏾
Whenever I go though one of those tunnels I think the same thing...I'm going to be a statistic. Just spooky and Claustrophobic. Damn that is close...My mother would have said another coat of paint and you would be scrapping.
Gerard Stroh*** Hi Go Fast Nation*** I have A Friend Who Drives A 18 Weeller For A Living and He Said it is Awesome At Times!!! I Like Your Video You Going Across The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel*** Have You Been on The Chesapeake Bay Bridge!!! That's the One That's High off the Water!!! It Has The Same Name on the Bridge But no Tunnel*** Awesome Video!!!
Taking my RAM 1500 and 28' travel trailer there next month. I've been over it many times but never towing a long trailer. I've debated with myself if I should just not do it with the trailer because of those tunnels.
Man!!! I was typing almost the qhole duration but I finished my comment and put the phone down and watched on TV… When you changed angles and swung the camera around it made me feel like I was in the car and we were goin over…
That’s only the beginning of your problem. If you left Norfolk for the Eastern Shore you’ll soon discover that VDOT has put up a traffic signal every two feet. Virginia has more red lights per highway mile than any other state.
It would be nice that the opening describes the Hampton Roads Bridge tunnel and that you are not under the ocean that is the channel. Also that is the Norfolk Naval station.
