CBBT, Cape Charles – On February 21, 2023, Chessie began her initial excavation at the tunnel’s headwall, marking the official start of tunneling for the Parallel Thimble Shoal Channel Tunnel.
As Herrenknecht performs the final testing and commissioning of the TBM, tunneling will start out slowly, with the installation of one ring a day, or the progression of approximately 6.5 feet. Over the next few months, progress will slowly increase to 3-4 rings per day, and eventually reach 7-10 rings per day, progressing approximately 60 feet.
The new tunnel will be just over one mile in total length and it is anticipated to take approximately 12-14 months for Chessie to complete the dig.
A recent Facebook post from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel showed a sneak peak of Chessie, the tunnel boring machine that’s now making her way under the bay.
Chessie began her initial excavation at One Island, the CBBT’s southernmost island, back in February and will now place 9,000 tunnel segments to complete the one-mile Thimble Shoal tunnel, which will run parallel to the existing tunnel.
It’s expected to take around 12-14 months for Chessie to complete her one-mile dig to Two Island, where crews are working on the receiving pit for Chessie and the support of excavation.
With the TBM’s operations testings underway, tunnel segments are being transported from CSI in Chesapeake, VA to #1 Island. More than 9,000 tunnel segments will be installed to complete the new tunnel at Thimble Shoal Channel.
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