By james art 
The Thimble Shoal Parallel Tunnel project at Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in US Virginia has reached a significant stage today, when with a diameter of 13.1 m herrenknecht tbm ‘chessi.
After temporary reinforcing supports and steel beam are removed from the receiving wall, SSI will end its last hours of boring.
Fred Stan, chairman of the CBBT Commission, said: “Today it celebrates a proud moment for the whole team participating in this project. The parallel tunnel is a key component for increasing the safety and efficiency of this vital transport connection and demonstrates the CBBT committee commitment to increase infrastructure and ensure the long -term resistance to the Bay Bay Bay Bridge. “
Yield for this two-band, approximately one mile (1.6 km) long tunnel begins in February 2023. In May 2023, Chesi hit an obstacle, later designated as a large anchor on the ship produced in England in the early 20th A century, leading to an additional eight months of construction to safely eliminate the obstacle. Tunnel resumed almost a year later in May 2024, an average of 50 feet (15.2 m) per day.
According to Jeff Holland, CBBT CEO, “this breakthrough represents the culmination of extensive planning, the precision of engineering and complex construction work during the planned and unplanned tunnel extraction phases. We are especially welcomed work crews that have operated in a high -risk environment to eliminate anchor obstruction without injury or loss of life. This engineering achievement marks a major step forward to increase safety, connectivity and infrastructure for many passengers who rely on CBBT. “
In the course of the yield, approximately 500,000 cubic yards soil and install nearly 10,000 concrete segments, each weighing 10 tonnes.
The design contractor for this project is a joint venture Chesapeake Tunnel (CTJV), a team consisting of Dragados USA and Schiavone Construction Company, LLC. The two sister companies are part of ACS Dragados from Spain.
John Helman, CEO of the Dragados USA project, says: “Today it was a monumental day for the JV Tunnel Chesapeake team, A Dragados and Schiavone joint venture. Our TBM ‘Chessie’, broke through the main wall to complete the tunnel of the tunnel with a mileage length (1.6 km) for the parallel Thimble Shoal tunnel for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Bridge. This new tunnel will help to ensure a less congested and more favored driving experience for travelers directed between Virginia Beach and the east coast of Virginia. Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in this incredible project. “
Looking forward, the CTJV will start constructing the roadway inside the tunnel, installing electrical/mechanical systems and building supporting buildings. Once completed, the new tunnel will wear two lanes to the south and the existing tunnel will wear two lanes of movement to the north. The current project completion forecast is in early 2028.